Rovers are expected to name their strongest possible squad when they take on Chelsea at Ewood Park in the quarter-finals of the Caring Cup.

In previous rounds manager Sam Allardyce has taken the opportunity to rest certain players, but his assistant Neil McDonald doesn't expect that to be the case when they take on the favourites on Wednesday evening in the 8.00pm kick-off.

"From the first round to now, the manager has made changes, but he's gone stronger in each game because each game has become more important," said McDonald on Tuesday morning.

"No doubt he'll do that again, there will be a couple of changes, but we are playing Chelsea and we have to play as strong a squad as we possible can."

Rovers will however be without leading goalscorer David Dunn who hasn't recovered from a calf strain in time to face the Kings Road club, whilst fellow midfielder Keith Andrews, who also limped out of Saturday's draw against Stoke City, is also a doubt with a calf strain.

"Dunn isn't going to be fit and we have a doubt over Keith Andrews, so we are assessing that today to see how he is," confirmed the assistant manager.

"So there's just those two, but everyone else is fit."

The absence of Dunn is a particular blow as he's been in impressive form this season and is the club's leading goalscorer with six to his name.

"We'll miss David but we've got other players who can come into the team, they've been for their chance and somebody is going to get that because David isn't fit.

"They've got to take that chance, they've got to play well, everybody has to play well because we are playing Chelsea and we'll see how the night goes."

The only other absentee is Franco Di Santo who isn't eligible to play for Rovers in the Carling Cup, therefore the manager is expected to select from: Robinson, Chimbonda, Samba, Nelsen, Givet, Emerton, Andrews, Grella, Nzonzi, Diouf, Roberts, McCarthy, Pedersen, van Heerden, Kalinić, Hoilett, Salgado, Jacobsen, Jones.

Tickets for Wednesday's game are on open sale up until the 8.00pm kick-off. Prices are just £10 for Adults and £5 for concessions. Book online and collect on the day of the game at www.onerovers.co.uk or call the ticket office on 0871 222 1444.