BLACKBURN Rovers skipper Grant Hanley and new striker Danny Graham have been ruled out of today’s Championship clash at home to high-flying Hull City.

That means Rovers boss Paul Lambert has been forced to make two changes to the side that started last Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Hull’s title-rivals Middlesbrough.

It will be the first league match that previous ever-present Hanley, who has a sore shoulder, has missed this season.

While a tight hamstring has denied Graham the chance of making his home debut alongside Elliott Ward, Jordi Gomez and Tony Watt.

Shane Duffy will partner Ward in the centre of defence and will also take over the armband from Hanley.

While Simeon Jackson will make his first start for the club after taking the place of Graham.

Second-placed Hull make one change to the team that started their 1-0 defeat at Rovers’ rivals Burnley last Saturday.

England international midfielder Tom Huddlestone is in for Isaac Hayden.

Rovers: Steele, Marshall, Ward, Duffy, Spurr, Evans, Lenihan, Akpan, Gomez, Watt, Jackson. Subs: Raya, Henley, Kilgallon, Brown, Taylor, Bennett, Conway.

Hull: McGregor, Odubajo, Davies, Dawson, Robertson, Snodgrass, Huddlestone, Livermore, Clucas, Diame, Hernandez. Subs: Jakupovic, Meyler, Maguire, Akpom, Hayden, Diomande, Elmohamady.