Manchester City-Blackburn Rovers Preview

Aug 13, 2009 - 3:24 PM WALTER SIMON STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Midfield star David Dunn has promised Blackburn will 'kick lumps' out of big-spending Manchester City on Saturday when the sides clash at Ewood Park.

Former Blackburn boss Mark Hughes has lavished 100 million pounds on new players at Manchester City this summer in a bid to break the monopoly of the Premier League's big four.

Dunn is promising no happy return for Hughes to the club where he made his managerial reputation and has told City's expensive package of newcomers to expect a rough afternoon.

Dunn, who is struggling with a thigh strain, said: "We have to be strong and organised. We have to be really aggressive against them and knock them about a bit.

"It is important we do our best, basically kick lumps out of them, without doing anything illegal or wrong.

"Manchester City have spent huge amounts of money and will be aware how every team is going to be desperate to beat them.

"In many ways this is a good time to be playing them, the first match of the season. They are the envy of the rest of the league because clubs like ours don't have the same resources."

Manchester City have drafted in Roque Santa Cruz, Carlos Tevez, Emmanuel Adebayor, Kolo Toure and Gareth Barry. They also hope to add Everton defender Joleon Lescott at the best part of another 20 million pounds.

Paraguay international Santa Cruz misses the chance to face his old club because of a knee injury and there is also a doubt about fellow striker Adebayor, who returned from playing for Togo with a groin injury and may have his debut delayed unless he passes a late test. Tevez has a heel injury and Craig Bellamy is nursing a knee problem.

Hughes is aware of the hostile reception he can expect from Blackburn fans and from his former players, if Dunn's reaction is typical, and has turned instead to City's huge legion of fans who will accompany their team to East Lancashire.

City expect up to 7,000 to make the short trip to Ewood Park, determined their team will not struggle as they did on the road last season.

Manchester City collected only eleven points from 19 away matches last season and Hughes knows that must improve.

Hughes said: "With 7,000 away fans at Ewood Park it will seem like a home game. We need our fans to get right behind us.

"Our away record was poor and if we are to challenge for honours this season it has to be far better. They will have some great players to follow this season."

Blackburn are also troubled by injuries with Vince Grella suffering from a hamstring injury and Ryan Nelsen, Brett Emerton, Steven Reid and Paul Gallagher receiving treatment for knee injuries.

Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce, who guided the club to safety last season, wants the best possible start at the expense of the big spenders.

"This is a great chance for us to make the football world sit up and take note," Allardyce said. "We can show people that you do not have to spend massive money to make an impact."