Wanderers are expected to name new signing Mario Jardel on the substitutes bench for the derby clash. Simon Charlton is still out with a knee problem but Youri Djorkaeff is making progress after a facial injury and is pushing for a place in the starting line up. Youngster Nicky Hunt may retain his place at right-back after a comfortable debut at Old Trafford last weekend.
Former Rovers players Per Frandsen and Kevin Davies are expected to play some part in the game against their former club.
Rovers will be hoping to include new signing Steven Reid after the former Millwall player missed the win over Wolves cause of an ankle injury. Andy Cole is expected to come into the attack following his two goals last weekend and could replace either Dwight Yorke or Matt Jansen. Fellow new boys Lorenzo Amoruso and Brett Emerton are also expected to play but former Wanderer Andy Todd will miss out as he seeks a transfer elswhere.
All games since both clubs where promoted in 2001 have ended in draws with the last two ending up 1-1 at the Reebok Stadium.
PLAYED FOR BOTH
NATHAN BLAKE
JOHN BYROM
PAUL COMSTIVE
WALTER CROOK
MALCOLM DARLING
KEVIN DAVIES
REG ELVY
PER FRANDSEN
COLIN HENDRY
GEORGE HIGGINS
GLENN KEELEY
ANDY KENNEDY
BOBBY LANGTON
JASON MCATEER
HARRY MCSHANE
MARK PATTERSON
LEAM RICHARDSON
STUART RIPLEY
MIKE SALMON
SCOTT SELLARS
GORDON TAYLOR
CHRIS THOMPSON
ANDY TODD
JONATHAN WALTERS
PAUL WARHURST