Samba: Still part of Rovers plans

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Blackburn v Newcastle

Want-away Blackburn defender Christopher Samba is still expected to front up to Newcastle at Ewood Park on Wednesday night.

The centre-back, who has gone to great lengths to voice his desire to leave struggling Rovers, could return to Steve Kean’s starting line-up.

The Scot reiterated the 27-year-old would not be leaving the club before the transfer window closed on Tuesday and will rely on him to lead his defensive line.

However, striker Ayegbeni Yakubu is suspended for the home clash while defender Ryan Nelson’s appearance at training this week is still no indication the club captain is ready to return just yet.

Rovers, who are just one point away from possibly moving out of the bottom three, are on a two-game unbeaten Premier League run after their 1-1 draw at Everon last time out.

Meanwhile, Magpies boss Alan Pardew’s hopes of having Senegalese duo Demba Ba and Papiss Demba Cisse back in time after Senegal’s early African Cup of Nations exit have been dashed.

Defender Fabricio Coloccini, though, looks to have shrugged off the groin injury which kept him out of Saturday’s 1-0 FA Cup fourth-round defeat at Brighton to make the trip to Lancashire.

The Tynesiders’ decision to contest midfielder Yohan Cabaye’s FA charge for violent conduct could also see the influential Frenchman feature.