OPPOSING strikers Nathan Blake and Guy Whittingham agreed on one thing today - Blackburn Rovers' Worthington Cup tie against Portsmouth will not be a walkover.

Leading 3-0 from the second round first leg at Fratton Park, Rovers have a massive cushion.

But Portsmouth registered their first away League win for a year at Trtanmere on Saturday.

And Whittingham warned: "We will be going to do a professional job. If we get an early goal, who knows.

"'Jeff' Peron gave us a dream start against Tranmere with a goal after 64 seconds and we didn't look back.

"We will be going to Blackburn with the same attitude."

Blake, who had his first Rovers start at Fratton since surgery at the end of last season, is also wary of counting chickens.

But he believes the tie offers a real chance for the team to build confidence.

"I don't think it's finished yet. If they got an early goal and then a second, it would be backs to the wall," said the Welsh international.

"People think it's a foregone conclusion but it's important we get the first goal, as soon as possible, and kill the tie off. I don't think we can afford to concede a goal.

"But it's also a chance for us to get a few goals and play with more confidence again than we did in the last home game." Rovers are set to make several changes again in front of what will be the lowest crowd for years, given the outcome of the first leg.

Alan Kelly and Steve Harkness should both start at home for the first time and manager Brian Kidd will use the opportunity to rest players with knocks and give games to others who need them.

Rovers will probably choose from: Kelly, Grayson, Kenna. Dailly, Peacock, Taylor, Davidson, Harkness, Gillespie, Dunn, Carsley, Wilcox, Gill, Duff, Johnson, Ostenstad, Blake, Ward, Jansen, Filan.

Portsmouth will also show changes from the first leg and they are likely to call up Fitzroy Simpson, available again after a three-match suspension.

Goalkeeper Aaron Flahavan, who dramatically collapsed at Fratton last week, is unlikely to feature. Pompey boss Alan Ball admitted: "We have a mountain to climb."

They are expected to choose from: Petterson, Robinson, Vlachos, Awford, Thogersen, Panopoulos, Miglioranzi, McLoughlin, Peron, Whittingham, Durnin, Simpson, Pamarot, Claridge, Igoe, Waterman, Tardiff.

Portsmouth fans have been in touch with Ewood by telephone and e-mail to show their appreciation to Nathan Blake for the way he reacted to Flahavan's collapse and tried to help. "I had a nice letter the other day from a Portsmouth supporter, just thanking me," said Blake.

"But, basically, I felt it was what anyone would have done."

"I just tried to get to him and turn him over. I don't know much about first aid but I just wanted to make sure he hadn't swallowed his tongue.

"It was pretty frightening really. I had a bit of a panic attack when he collapsed. I've never seen that before. I'm just glad he's okay."

A new-look third round draw will take place at Sky TV's studios on Sunday (3.15pm).

Rather than having sides paired at random, teams will be able to see prospective opponents in the draw.

The format has been adapted from the World Cup and Wimbledon tennis championships.

There will be no seedings under the new format, which will involve dividing the last 32 teams into two halves of 16.

Football League chief executive Richard Scudamore said: "We are excited by the format and we think the fans will be too.

"As there is no seeding the 32 teams will come out of the hat at random."

Even though teams will know their opponents, a draw will still be made to decide on home advantage.

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