ROVERS: Kenny and Roy are two of a kind

But the head-to-head between the man who put Rovers on the map and the current Ewood boss who has made a great start to reviving their flagging fortunes is, inevitably, the focal point.

And Dalglish, coming up against Rovers for the first time since he left Ewood some 14 months ago, is looking forward to the clash between the clubs which he believes are two of a kind.

"The two clubs have both followed similar paths. Most things they have done have been comparable," said the Newcastle boss.

"It was a similar thing, two guys who had a dream and made a success of it, even though Newcastle haven't won anything yet. If it hadn't been for those two gentlemen and the money they invested neither club would be where they are now. You have to have money, but you also have to make sure that it's spent wisely."

Many of the players Dalglish signed are still with Rovers but he said: "It doesn't matter how many players are left.

"Each manager creates his own identity. So, while they are the same names, they might be slightly different players because each manager has his own ideas. "It's another game, three more League points to play for and there will be a lot of friendly faces. I am looking forward to seeing them but, while they'll be friendly before and after the game, they won't be too friendly during it."

Hodgson, who will be without Jeff Kenna, on international duty, and Jason Wilcox (suspended), has also lost defender Marlon Broomes from his squad after the youngster picked up a thigh injury.

He and Dalglish go back a long way - to a friendly between Malmo and Liverpool which the Reds won 2-1, despite Martin Dahlin's goal for the Swedes - and he has a high regard for his rival.

"I know Kenny quite well and he is an excellent man," said the Rovers boss.

"He has won the League both as a player and a manager.

"The fact that he has also won it as manager of two different clubs says everything about him."

Hodgson could be following in Dalglish's footsteps by building a top team at Ewood and he added: "We are playing a good side and Newcastle is a very difficult place to go.

"But we have had a marvellous start to the season and the players are very confident."

Patrick Valery seems the obvious choice to come in at right back, though central defender Tore Pedersen also gives the manager cover in that position.

Chris Sutton and Kevin Gallacher continue to look Rovers' top pairing in attack and it's hard to see the manager wanting to change the rest of the defence. But midfield could well be the key area tomorrow and Newcastle's anticipated line-up could influence Hodgson's thinking.

The Rovers boss has had no hesitation in switching players in midfield to suit a particular situation - at Wimbledon he played four central midfielders across the pitch and it worked.

Tomorrow, he has to decide whether to stick with his wingers or change again.

The starting line-up is likely to come from: Flowers, Valery, Hendry, Henchoz, Croft, Ripley, Sherwood, Bohinen, Duff, Sutton, Gallacher, T Pedersen, Dahlin, McKinlay, Flitcroft, Fettis.

Newcastle have lost ex-Rover Shay Given to international duty, with either Pavel Srnicek or Shaka Hislop preparing to step up.

Srnicek has not played a first team game this season, while Hislop turned out in the Coca-Cola Cup clash against Hull City.

Dalglish could also have a problem in attack, where Ian Rush faces a fitness test on a knee injury.

Rush has had to shoulder the burden up front since the loss of Alan Shearer, Tino Asprilla and Les Ferdinand. If he's not fit, Newcastle might have to shuffle people around.

Stuart Pearce is still on the long-term injury list and fellow-defender Alessandro Pistone is also out of action.

Newcastle are expected to choose from: Hislop, Srnicek, Barton, Peacock, Howey, Watson, Gillespie, Lee, Batty, Tomasson, Beresford, Rush, Ketsbaia, Albert, Barnes, Hamilton, Hughes, Brayson.

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