BLACKBURN Rovers play their biggest FA Youth Cup tie for 38 years at Selhurst Park tonight, when they take on Crystal Palace in the first leg of the semi-finals.

They have been forced into making a change to their regular line-up, with Leam Richardson likely to replace injured Ben Brewer at left back.

But Rovers' youth development officer Jim Furnell remains quietly confident that Rovers can do well and is happy that they will have home advantage in the second leg.

"I would rather be away first," he said. "Then we will know exactly what we have to do at Ewood next Thursday.

"The lads are relaxed and looking forward to it, even though we have had Palace watched and know that they are a good side."

Palace are top of their own league and also involved in the league cup as they chase triple success.

Rovers will lean heavily tonight on the likes of attacking trio Damien Johnson, James Thomas and Damien Duff, who have all starred in the run to the semi-finals.

Duff, in particular, has enhanced his reputation in this tournament and is already knocking on the first team door.

Rovers will choose from: Stewart, Trudgill, Taylor, Brown, Richardson, Watkins, Staton, Dunn, Johnson, Thomas, Duff, Fitzpatrick, McAvoy, Owler, Ryan, Bingham.

Leeds won 2-1 at Luton last night in the first leg of the other semi-final.

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