SAM Allardyce has defensive concerns ahead of Sunday's Ewood Park clash with Chelsea.

Already without Ryan Nelsen with a knee injury and goalkeeper Paul Robinson with a calf strain, a groin injury picked up last weekend could stop defensive stalwart Gael Givet from featuring against the title chasing side.

"We've no chance with Ryan at the moment, and Gaël will be touch and go with a fitness test on Sunday morning most probably," revealed Allardyce on Friday morning.

"I think that is obviously a concern for us, but we have to cope with it if they aren't fit.

"We still haven't got Vince back yet so, all of a sudden a fit looking squad has been devastated in areas too much.

"You can stand injuries elsewhere, but its happened and we've to accept it. It is a big week with three games, whereas we had previously gone two weeks without a game, and now we find ourselves with more injuries than we've had all season.

"It has come at a difficult time, but the squad is there, that is what the squad is for, they'll have to drop into the positions and step up to the plate and produce the goods."

Lars Jacobsen is back in training after his hernia operation but not just ready, whilst Franco Di Santo cannot play against his parent club Chelsea.

Mark Bunn has been recalled from Sheffield United as cover with Jason Brown expected to start the game in goal.

With that in mind, Rovers will select from: Brown, Salgado, Samba, Givet, Chimbonda, Emerton, Nzonzi, Dunn, Pedersen, Olsson, Kalinić, Bunn, Roberts, Andrews, Diouf, Basturk, Hoilett, Jones, Linganzi, Rigters.

Tickets for Sunday's 4pm match are on open sale right up until kick-off.