Big match preview 2: Blackburn Rovers v Brentford

RAY Harford rang the alarm bells as Blackburn Rovers bid to put their Premiership basement blues behind them and beat Brentford in the Coca-Cola Cup at Ewood tonight.

And the manager is demanding is demanding his team measure up to a challenge that will be tougher than some people expect from a Brentford team still capable of producing an upset.

Rovers, expected to give Jason Wilcox his first start of the season, hold a 2-1 lead from the first leg at Griffin Park last week.

But Harford, desperate for a home victory of any kind, warned his players today that there is still a lot of work to do if they are to finish off the Second Division leaders.

"All I am focusing on is making sure that we don't become complacent," he said.

"After we played so well at Manchester United, our next performance against Leeds was our poorest and this is the same sort of scenario.

"I think it's important that we guard against complacency. "They are the type of team who will punish you. They do score goals and they will not come here with any fears.

"It's going to be just as tough here as it was last week."

Wilcox, who made his first appearance of the season as a second half substitute against Everton on Saturday, will have to be checked for any reaction, following his absence since the pre-season games with a knee injury.

But, if he gets the all-clear, then he seems likely to return to help restore some balance to the side in his natural left-sided role.

Harford also has other injuries to check, before finalising the team he hopes can claim a place in the third round of the Coca-Cola Cup.

George Donis, who scored a spectacular first goal for the club on Saturday, is still hampered by bruising to the ribs and Garry Flitcroft picked up a hip injury against Everton.

But, if Donis has problems, Rovers have plenty of cover, notably with Stuart Ripley.

It will be a welcome sight for Rovers fans, as well as his manager, if Wilcox makes his return. "We got him back last year and thought he was all right. Then to lose him for six weeks this season has been a real loss," said Harford.

"He's as good a left footer as there is anywhere. He was picked for England and there is no doubt we have missed him.

"When we got him back last season, we started to climb the table."

Only three substitutes are allowed in the Coca-Cola Cup so Rovers will have to reduce their squad.

The starting line-up looks like coming from: Flowers, Kenna, Hendry, Coleman, Berg, Donis, Sherwood, Bohinen, Flitcroft, Sutton, Gallacher, Wilcox, Fenton, Ripley, Pearce, Given.

Brentford are expected to choose from: Dearden, Hurdle, Anderson, Ashby, Bates, Canham, Asaba, Smith, Forster, Bent, Taylor, McGhee, Abrahams, Fernandes.

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