Blackburn captain Ryan Nelsen should return to the side for Saturday's clash with Reading at The Madejski, but Roque Santa Cruz is doubtful.Nelsen has been out for 10 weeks with a scar-tissue injury after surgery in the summer of 2006 to reattach a tendon at the top of his hamstring to the bone. If manager Mark Hughes decides he is fully fit, the centre-back will replace the suspended Christopher Samba following his dismissal in last week's 3-1 win over Wigan at Ewood Park.

Leading scorer Roque Santa Cruz is doubtful with an ankle knock sustained on international duty with Paraguay, while Brett Emerton will undergo a late fitness test on a groin injury. Midfielder Johann Vogel finally comes into the reckoning after receiving international clearance following his recent move.

Blackburn (from): Friedel, Khizanishvili, Ooijer, Warnock, Bentley, Reid, Dunn, Pedersen, Roberts, Santa Cruz, Derbyshire, McCarthy, Brown, Mokoena, Emerton, Nelsen, Vogel, Tugay.

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