AUSTRALIAN midfielder Vince Grella makes his Ewood Park debut this evening for the Premier League visit of Middlesbrough.

Grella partners Stephen Warnock in the centre of the park, with Tugay making way, while Andre Ooijer replaces the injured Chris Samba in the heart of the defence.

Matt Derbyshire replaces Jason Roberts in attack while Roque Santa Cruz returns to the starting line up in place of Robbie Fowler.

Swede Martin Olsson also returns to the side after missing last weekend's draw at Bolton.

Mido has been forced to withdraw for the visitors after injuring himself in the warm-up.

ROVERS: Paul Robinson, Andre Ooijer, Stephen Warnock, Ryan Nelsen, Brett Emerton, Roque Santa Cruz, Vince Grella, Carlos Villanueva, Danny Simpson, Matt Derbyshire, Martin Olsson

Subs: Jason Brown, Tugay, Benni McCarthy, Zurab Khizanishvili, Keith Andrews, Keith Treacy, Jason Roberts

MIDDLESBROUGH: Ross Turnbull, Andrew Taylor, Gary O'Neil, Chris Riggott, Emmanuel Pogatetz, Didier Digard, Jeremie Aliadiere, Afonso Alves, Tuncay Sanli, Stewart Downing, David Wheater

Subs: Brad Jones, Martin Emnes, Mohamed Shawky, Adam Johnson, John Johnson, Jonathan Grounds