Blackburn Rovers-Sunderland Preview

Aug 20, 2009 - 5:02 PM DANIEL ROSE STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Steve Bruce's big-spending Sunderland, shell-shocked after a midweek 3-1 drubbing by Chelsea, have been warned that beating Blackburn this Saturday is more vital to the club's long term future.

Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce takes his team to the Stadium of Light looking for their first point of the new season after being beaten at home by Manchester City on the opening day.

Bruce fancies the idea of heaping more August misery on his old friend Allardyce and help get the Chelsea defeat out of their systems.

Bruce said: "Chelsea were superb. I told the players afterwards that we would not come across that sort of quality every week and to learn from it and move on.

"As if we did not know already, Chelsea showed why they are going to be serious title contenders again and in the second half they gave us the run around.

"What we have to do now is forget about Chelsea and build on what we achieved at Bolton on the opening day, which was three well-deserved points."

Sunderland are banking on the new front partnership of Darren Bent and Kenwyne Jones to pose the major problems.

Bruce said: "Darren is settling well and has two goals already. There are signs that he and Jones can work together and become a feared forward pair, but it takes times to gel."

Sunderland have injuries problems mounting by the day with Steed Malbranque (ankle) and Kieran Richardson (dead leg) struggling after first day injuries and joined in the treatment room by Lee Cattermole and Lorik Cana.

Influential Cattermole has a back injury and former Marseille player Cana may have broken a hand.

Young Jordan Henderson, who made his full debut against Chelsea, could get another chance in defence while Bruce pursues a deal to bring highly-rated John Mensah on loan from Lyon.

Allardyce made a major signing of his own this week when he brought Spanish international right back Michel Salgado from Real Madrid to Ewood Park.

Salgado,33, has a distinguished international pedigree which includes two Champions League medals and 53 caps but he will not have international clearance in time to face Sunderland.

Former Sunderland defender Allardyce said: "I am hoping Salgado will bring a bit of Real Madrid class and know-how to our defence and to the club in general.

"Sunderland have spent a lot of money this summer and wisely. Steve Bruce has got together a strong squad and I don't think they will struggle like they did last year.

"So it is important that we give them nothing on Saturday. They had a good win at Bolton and will see that as more important than the Chelsea result.

"We played well against Manchester City and had nothing to show for it. I would have been more worried if we had played badly and lost, but that was not the case."

Blackburn should have New Zealand defender Ryan Nelsen available again after a knee injury but David Dunn (hamstring) and Brett Emerton (knee) and a week away from returning.