ROY Hodgson has a message for a Derby County side unbeaten at home in the Premiership - no-one is invincible, writes PETER WHITE.

But he also knows Blackburn Rovers will have to be at their best to become the first visiting team to win a Premiership game at Pride Park.

Derby's first season at their brand-new home has been a resounding success so far and Jim Smith's side are challenging for a UEFA Cup place on the back of a home run which has brought seven wins and three draws in the Premiership.

But Hodgson, who has steered Rovers into a title-challenging position, has been boosted by the news that Chris Sutton, Kevin Gallacher and Gary Croft have all shaken off injury problems.

And he will tell his team to keep Derby's record in perspective.

"A good record gives you confidence and we are going to meet a very confident Derby side who believe in themselves and believe in their chance of victory," he said.

"They have done very well there, they have taken to their new stadium like a duck to water and have had some great results.

"But everyone was talking about West Ham being unbeatable at Upton Park and then Arsenal got a result there the other day.

"So we have to believe that nobody's invincible.

"We'll have to be at our best and it's up to us to get a result there."

It looks as though Lars Bohinen's rib injury will count him out of the squad, though he will have a late fitness test. But Hodgson can welcome back Billy McKinlay after a two-match suspension and it will be interesting to see if he gets the vote ahead of Garry Flitcroft to renew his partnership with Tim Sherwood.

Or will the manager find room for both to accommodate different tactics as he has in the past?

Most things Hodgson has tried this season have come off and Rovers will be eager to hold onto second place as they play their first Premiership game for a fortnight. "I came to Blackburn with an open mind. I won't say I expected to be in second position (at this stage) but certainly I dreamed of it and it's a question of maybe the dreams and hopes and aspirations coming true," he said. "The quality of the players here is very good. We have good players and good characters so there's no reason why we shouldn't be one of the top sides.

"But the whole thing about the Premier League is the stiffness of the competition where there are so many good sides, so many teams now investing huge sums of money in foreign players, and English players for that matter, to become top sides.

"So to actually be up there in the face of that competition is very encouraging and very rewarding.

"But we also know the hard work that has got us so far will have to be continued if we want to go the rest of the way."

Rovers' starting line-up is expected to come from: Flowers, Kenna, Hendry, Henchoz, Valery, Ripley, Sherwood, Flitcroft, Duff, Sutton, Gallacher, Croft, McKinlay, Wilcox, T Pedersen, Fettis.

Derby have one or two problems with Stefano Eranio, Darryl Powell and Lee Carsley suspended.

They will also have to test Eranio's replacement Rob Kozluk, who has a groin strain.

Jacon Laursen may have to be brought back earlier than expected after knee problems.

They will choose from: Poom, Yates, Stimac, Elliott, Laursen, Kozluk, Rowett, Hunt, C Powell, Baiano, Sturridge, Wanchope, Smith, Bridge-Wilkinson, Willems, Carbon, Burton, Hoult.

Hodgson collected his manager of the month award yesterday and shared the praise.

"I am delighted to receive the honour on behalf of the club.

"It's a suggestion that we were the team of the month and we were also voted the team of the month in August. I think that's a great achievement," he said.

"I have accepted the award gladly on behalf of the team, the coaching staff and everyone at the club."

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