ROY Hodgson today gave his full backing to referee Peter Jones - despite still "seething" over the red card he showed Kevin Gallacher in the first FA Cup clash between Blackburn Rovers and West Ham.

The Loughborough official takes charge of tonight's fifth round replay with the Hammers also having sparked a war of words to inflame feelings even further. But the Rovers boss shrugged off suggestions that Eyal Berkovic's actions in the first game and subsequent allegations - backed by West Ham boss Harry Redknapp - would cause the tie to boil over.

And he has confidence in Jones to handle any controveries which might arise.

"As far as I am concerned it's a football match," said Hodgson, who expects to have Chris Sutton, Stephane Henchoz and Tim Flowers all fit to play.

"In a match between two top Premiership sides, such an important game, there could always be a situation where the game gets somewhat heated.

"But the referee will be in charge of the situation and I don't think we have any worries in that respect.

"He will take care of any situations that may or may not occur.

"I thought Peter Jones handled the first game extremely well. I have been very critical of the sending-off decision but I believe he made it honestly. I think it's an injustice, he thinks it's not."

Hodgson saw Jones referee Monday's Merseyside derby and felt he handled the game well. In fact, he is happy with Premier League officials. I think refereeing standards this year, in the games I have been involved with, have been good, certainly better than Italy," he said.

"And I feel much safer and more comfortable going into a game in England about the potential refereeing performances than I did when I was manager of Inter." Sutton was training yesterday after suffering from a virus.

Stephane Henchoz has also done some work following his groin/thigh strain and Flowers is expected to shake off a niggling shoulder problem. Patrick Valery starts a two-match ban.

With Gallacher and Sutton set to be re-united, for one match, Hodgson could revert to using two wingers again.

Rovers look set to choose from: Flowers, Kenna, Hendry, Broomes, Croft, Flitcroft, Sherwood, McKinlay, Duff, Gallacher, Dahlin, Sutton, Henchoz, Wilcox, Ripley, Beattie, Fettis.

West Ham have Samassi Abou available to replace Paul Kitson if he fails a fitness test on a groin injury. Steve Lomas, like Abou, has also completed a ban.

Their squad is: Forrest, Pearce, Ferdinand, Unsworth, Impey, Lampard, Lomas, Berkovic, Lazaridis, Hartson, Abou, Kitson, Bishop, Potts, Hodges, Mean, Lama.

Dermot Gallagher has been replaced by Neale Barry as referee of Rovers' game against Leicester on Saturday.

Gallagher has been given a one-match ban following his performance in the Arsenal-Chelsea clash at Highbury on February 8.

Lars Bohinen will start for Norway tonight in their friendly with France in Marseille.

Tickets for tonight's tie will be on sale until kick-off time at 7.45pm.

The game must be settled this evening with extra time and penalties if necessary.

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