BLACKBURN Rovers have made two changes for their first match of 2016 this afternoon away to Cardiff City.

Winger Tom Lawrence, in his last appearance before his loan from Leicester City expires, has taken the place of Adam Henley in a move that is likely to see Ben Marshall start at right-back.

And midfielder Lee Williamson will make his second league start of the season after replacing Danny Guthrie.

Cardiff, who like Rovers have not won any of their last three matches, but are on an eight-game unbeaten run at home, also make two changes.

Scott Malone is in for Fabio and Joe Mason is in for top-scorer Kenwyne Jones who, with speculation over his future, is left out of the squad completely.

Mason has netted four league goals in four appearances against Rovers including the opener in August’s reverse clash at Ewood Park.

Cardiff: Marshall, Peltier, Manga, Connolly, Malone, Noone, Gunnarsson, Ralls, Pilkington, Watt, Mason. Subs: Moore, Fabio, Whittingham, Macheda, Dikgacoi, O’Keefe, Ameobi.

Rovers: Steele, Marshall, Duffy, Hanley, Olsson, Lawrence, Williamson, Akpan, Conway, Koita, Rhodes. Subs: Raya, Spurr, Kilgallon, Delfouneso, Guthrie, Lenihan, Evans.