TEAM NEWS: Modeste Starts, Samba Absent (From Lancashire Telegraph)

TEAM NEWS: Modeste Starts, Samba Absent

7:24pm Wednesday 1st February 2012 in News By Matt Baxter

Rovers make only a single change from the side that faced Everton last week, with new-signing Anthony Modeste leading the attack in place of David Goodwillie.

The Bordeaux loanee makes his full debut in place of usual hitman Yakubu; who is still serving his ban picked up against Fulham. Goodwillie remains absent due to illness.

Chris Samba remains missing from the lineup after his recent transfer requests were rebuffed by Rovers.

Also missing are new signings Marcus Olsson and Bradley Orr.

Meanwhile in-form centre-back Grant Hanley resumes the bench once again with Dann and Givet being the preferred pairing.

Blackburn Rovers: Robinson, Olsson, Givet, Dunn, Modeste, Pedersen, Petrovic, Nzonzi, Dann, Hoillet, Lowe.

Subs: Bunn, Formica, Rochina, Vukcevic, Hanley, Henley, Slew.

Newcastle United: Krul, Coloccini, Santon, Simpson, Williamson, Guthrie, Ben Arfa, Taylor, Gutierrez, Best, Ameobi.

Subs: Lovenkrands, Abeid, Perch, Gosling, Obertan, Ferguson, Elliot.