Division One: Blackburn Rovers v Portsmouth: Peter White's match preview

IN well over 250 senior appearances, Darren Moore has only played once against Blackburn Rovers -- but the six feet three inches and 15-stone-plus central defender left his calling card.

For Moore, an inspirational £500,000 Portsmouth signing from Bradford City last November, terrorised Rovers' defence whenever he lent his considerable height and weight to attack.

Goalkeeper Alan Kelly felt the effects more than most, having to be substituted after falling awkwardly following an aerial clash with the burly back four man.

Still, despite Moore's massive presence, Rovers did win that First Division clash at Fratton Park between Christmas and New Year.

And it was partly thanks to the attacking efforts of one of their own central defenders -- Christian Dailly scoring a crucial goal from a set piece -- that they made it three victories from three meetings with Pompey this season.

Moore and Dailly could both have influential roles at Ewood tomorrow.

Significantly, they are also agreed that, as this season's outcome has still to be officially decided, it deserves full concentration to the very end.

Moore's first goal for Pompey gave them a crucial win over Norwich last Saturday but he said: "We must not become complacent.

"Let's be ambitious and look to finish in the top half of the table with our next step to get past the 50 points barrier. "We have to keep half an eye on the clubs below us because we could still be in a bit of trouble if we let things slide.

"But it was a massive win against Norwich and we were delighted."

While Portsmouth look like finishing the season relieved, Rovers will be frustrated.

Dailly, however, echoed his manager's sentiments about battling right to the end.

"We are a group of professionals, we will be giving it everything," he said.

"If you win every game, you just don't know what is going to happen. So that's what we have to try to do.

"We haven't given up this season just yet, though it is going to be very difficult.

"But whatever happens everybody has loads to play for.

"The least thing you play for is your own pride and we all want to do as well as we can all the time."

Despite protestations -- understandable -- that the play-offs issue is still alive, both teams tomorrow are playing primarily to impress the managers who have taken over during this season.

Moore and Dailly seem to have established thesmelves but there are a number of others still pondering which way things will go.

Simon Grayson, for example, explained: "We've got five games left to play and in that time I want to show Graeme Souness what I can do.

"All the players are in the same boat, really, because the manager is just weighing up who he wants in his squad for next season. "The bottom line is we are all on trial.

"He is forming his opinion on the squad and I could have to be patient because there are an awful lot of quality players at the club.

"But I am determind to force my way back in.

"I want to stay at Blackburn because I think there could be exciting things happening next season."

In the meantime, Souness aims to provide a little more excitement for the rest of this season.