LEE Carsley and Richard Sneekes cut starkly contrasting figures with their respective hair styles.

Carsley opts for the shaven-headed approach in the Blackburn Rovers engine room, while Sneekes' pony-tailed figure is a feature of the West Brom midfield.

They also boast differing playing styles with Dutchman Sneekes more of a schemer than Carsley, who is playing a highly effective holding role at Ewood at the moment.

However, Carsley has proved himself no slouch in the creative department either.

And he goes into tomorrow's FA Cup third-round tie at the Hawthorns tomorrow as Rovers' leading scorer with seven goals.

Sneekes has been more prolific throughout his career but hasn't hit the target yet this season.

Carsley has also matched the former Bolton player's pass completion rate with a highly respectable 74 per cent, while a great percentage of his crosses have reached their intended target.

And Carsley's value to the Rovers' cause is underlined by his superior defensive statistics from Opta.

He has made more tackles, blocks and clearances than his West Brom counterpart and will be a key figure again as Rovers chase a place in round four.

It would also appear that Sneekes is more prone to drift wide, having made three times the number of crosses as Carsley, but with a much small completion rate.

And, depsite his combative nature, Carsley has managed to avoid disciplinary trouble, having collected just one yellow card all season.

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