CHRIS Sutton laid it on the line as Blackburn Rovers completed their preparations for tomorrow's Premiership blockbuster against Newcastle United at Ewood - "We HAVE to win."

The Rovers striker, still in with a chance of claiming the Premiership's golden boot, would give up any personal glory for a UEFA Cup place.

But he feels there are too many teams for comfort chasing Rovers and he warned: "I believe we are going to have to win to get into Europe.

"This is a big, big game for us and you cannot see Kenny Dalglish ever taking a team anywhere without wanting to win. He will certainly want to do that on his return to Blackburn.

"And it gives what was always going to be a tough game an extra edge."

Sutton received a pat on the back today from former Ewood hero Alan Shearer who said: "It's gone very well for him, he's done a good job this season and scored a lot of goals. He's had some indifferent publicity but he will be pleased with his season." Nothing would please Sutton more, however, than to grab the winner against Newcastle.

Billy McKinlay and Damien Duff should be fit but Tim Sherwood is still out along with Callum Davidson who picked up a foot injury in the reserves but wasn't in the reckoning anyway.

Manager Roy Hodgson also has to decide on his keeper.

He knows it will be tough, with Newcastle including Shearer, David Batty and Shay Given, as well as their backroom connections with Ewood.

"There will be many motivational factors for Newcastle. Having said that perhaps if we get in among them and in front it will be easier for us to maintain a lead than it would if they were desperate for points," he said.

"But I have no doubt that we will face a very strong and determined Newcastle side."

Rovers look set to choose from: Flowers, Filan, Kenna, Hendry, Henchoz, Valery, Croft, Ripley, Flitcroft, McKinlay, Wilcox, Duff, Sutton, Gallacher, Dahlin, Broomes, Beattie.

Dalglish makes his first return to Ewood as Newcastle boss and is looking forward to it, after leading Rovers to the title. "It's up to the people who come to watch the game (how they react)," he said.

"But nothing can take anything away from the fairy tale that everyone enjoyed, especially when you remember where we started from and where we ended up.

"I am sure the best time everybody has had in recent years was the championship night at Ewood.

"And nothing can take away the respect I have for the people there."

Shearer would be happy to see his old club qualify for Europe, but not at Newcastle's expense.

And the England captain would like to think he would receive a better welcome than last time he came back.

"I would like them to qualify but if it means that they do so by beating us then I don't want that to happen," he said.

"I was disappointed by the reception (last time) but these things happen. I gave four of my best years to them and I could not have done any more.

"But it's only natural they were disappointed to see me go and they are entitled to their opinions."

Dalglish will field his strongest side. Ironically, Given never played a full first team game at home while with Rovers.

Their squad is expected to be: Given, Barton, Howey, Dabizas, Pearce, Pistone, Batty, Lee, Speed, Shearer, Andersson, Ketsbaia, Watson, Barnes, Hamilton, Gillespie, Rush, Hislop.

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