Blackburn manager Steve Kean forced to make changes for Barnsley match

Steve Kean saw his Blackburn side surrender a 2-0 advantage (Getty Images)

Blackburn boss Steve Kean is disappointed he cannot name the same starting line-up at home to Barnsley tonight he selected for the win over Bristol City on Saturday.

Rovers are unbeaten so far as they look to return to the Barclays Premier League at the first time of asking but a number of injuries to key players are threatening to disrupt Kean's positive start.

"We certainly can't pick the same team unfortunately," he told the club's official website.

"We've lost Gael Givet with quite a heavy contusion to his leg, his muscle is full of blood and we can't drain that off.

"Marcus Olsson will be out for seven to 10 days with a grade one hamstring (injury), so it won't be the same side.

"Colin Kazim-Richards has also had a little bit of a backwards step as far as his injury was concerned so we'll probably lose him for another couple of weeks so that is disappointing."

Blackburn are currently a point clear of Blackpool at the top of the division with the Seasiders ready to pounce on any dropped points from Kean's side.

Middlesbrough are the visitors to Bloomfield Road tonight and Boro goalkeeper Jason Steele is hoping the side can build on their victory over Ipswich at the weekend.

"In my opinion I'm not so sure we deserved to win 2-0. We probably didn't play as well as we would like, but a win is a win," he said.

"I'd like to go there (Bloomfield Road) and win 5-0, but that doesn't happen in this league, does it?

"I think it will be a good game between two good footballing teams and I just hope we can put a smile on the face of the travelling fans and give them something to shout about."

Third place Brighton, who are behind Blackpool on goal difference, will be looking to move into the automatic promotion places as manager Gus Poyet leads his side out against Watford, managed by close friend Gianfranco Zola.

"He (Zola) knows what he wants from his team and what he wants to achieve," Poyet told Brighton's official website.

"It's nice when you spend time with someone who is really convinced about the best way to play football.

"We both want our teams to play good football but we both want to win as well. It will be interesting on Tuesday night but at the end of the day it's about the players on the pitch."

Steve Bruce's Hull are fourth in the table but face a tough trip across Yorkshire to face Leeds.

Peterborough, still without a point so far, host Bristol City knowing that even a victory will leave them rooted to the foot of the table.

Derby and Charlton are on the periphery of the relegation zone but face each other at Pride Park with both sides wanting to push up the table.

Elsewhere Birmingham host Bolton, Cardiff travel to Millwall and Crystal Palace face Nottingham Forest.

PA