[lfc-news] Blackburn v Liverpool: team news - PA

PA Sport, 29 Oct 2004
PONGOLLE OUT FOR REDS

Liverpool will be without teenage striker Florent Sinama-Pongolle for
Saturday's visit to Blackburn following his exit from the controversial
Carling Cup win at Millwall on Tuesday.

The French youngster left The Den on crutches amid claims that he had been
stamped on during the match.

He suffered heavy bruising to his shin and calf and has had constant
treatment since returning from south London.

Manager Rafael Benitez hopes the player will return to training next week.

Beneitez isn't underestimating the opposition in spite of their current
position at the foot of the Premiership table.

Benitez said: "Blackburn need to win and this will be a hard game for us
but as always we are going there to win the game.

"The team are in good physical condition and all the players want to play.
The last game we won with different players and it is good for the team and
the squad.

"I see in training every day we are improving and getting better. We are
together and we want to win each match we play."

Spanish full-back Josemi missed that game through suspension but played
against Millwall and is expected to reclaim his place in the starting
line-up at Ewood Park.

The likes of Chris Kirkland, Sami Hyypia, Luis Garcia, Xabi Alonso, Harry
Kewell and Djibril Cisse are also expected to return after being rested
against Millwall.

Turkish midfielder Tugay returns from suspension as Blackburn boss Mark
Hughes seeks to end his side's calamitous recent form.

Hughes has no new injury concerns but David Thompson (ankle) is definitely
ruled out and Lorenzo Amoruso's heel operation means he is sidelined for at
least two months.

Andy Todd and Jay McEveley are both pushing for recalls after successfully
negotiating reserve team matches in midweek.

Teams

Blackburn (from): Friedel, Enckelman, Gray, McEveley, Gresko, Short,
Matteo, Todd, Johansson, Neill, Reid, Emerton, Pedersen, De Pedro, Douglas,
Flitcroft, Tugay, Ferguson, Stead, Dickov, Jansen, Bothroyd, Djorkaeff,
Gallagher.

Liverpool (from): Kirkland, Josemi, Hyypia, Carragher, Traore, Garcia,
Alonso, Hamann, Riise, Baros, Cisse, Dudek, Finnan, Kewell, Warnock, Diao,
Biscan.