DEFENSIVE OPTIONS FOR REDFEARN

DEFENSIVE OPTIONS FOR REDFEARN

Team news ahead of the trip to Ewood Park...

Neil Redfearn says he has decent picture of how his side will line-up at Blackburn, despite the defensive dilemma he faces.

Giuseppe Bellusci is available for selection again after serving his one-match ban, but Liam Cooper’s impressive recent form since stepping in means the Italian has a fight on his hands to make an immediate return to the team.

"I’ve got a good idea in my mind but the bottom line now is that it’s put us in a good situation because we’ve got competition which is healthy," said Redfearn.

"If we can keep consistency and try and build a team, then the players that are in the side know then that they’ve got to fight to keep their shirts.

"The players that are trying to get in the side have got to play even better to get in the side which is then the right way around, rather than players being chopped and changed just for the sake of it.

"I want to try and build something that is sustainable – not just win one week and lose another – we want to win every week if we can. This is part of that process."

Meanwhile, Redfearn will continue to monitor Rodolph Austin, after the midfielder played four games in the space of a week as he captained Jamaica to Caribbean Cup glory.

Austin was introduced as a second-half substitute during the win over Blackpool, but had been absent for the previous three games through injury.

"There’s not a right lot we can do about Rudy Austin’s situation," said Redfearn. "He’s played four games in a short space of time but he’ll come back match-fit.

"We know he’s match-fit now. He was on the bench from injury before and now he’s played four games.

"It’s just a case of monitoring him now. "

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