ROY Hodgson could give senior debuts to three players against Preston North End tonight.

Blackburn Rovers take a 6-0 lead to Deepdale in their Coca-Cola Cup second round, second leg tie.

And, just hours after being named in the Welsh squad to travel to Belgium, Chris Coleman was given another boost - with Hodgson naming the comeback man in a 15-strong party for the cup clash. The Rovers boss will be looking to a number of players to grab a golden opportunity to push themselves into regular first-team reckoning.

"There are lots of possibilities for people tonight," he said.

"And they have to see those possibilities rather than the pitfalls."

Teenager Damien Johnson, who usually plays on the right side of midfield, defender Adam Reed and utility man Wayne Gill are the three players in the squad yet to play first team football for Rovers in a competitive game.

And at least one of them, maybe more, could well be in the starting line-up.

Eighteen-year-old Johnson, who starred in the youth team on the opposite flank to Damien Duff, has now established himself at reserve team level.

The youngster from Northern Ireland seems to have the temperament to handle an occasion such as tonight's tie and, despite the first leg scoreline, it will be an occasion. For Preston's pride was severely mauled at Ewood and they will be eager to prove a few points.

Seven of the players who started Sunday's game against Coventry will sit out the Preston tie and others could be left on the bench as Hodgson understandably uses the luxury of a six-goal lead to the full extent.

"We don't want to lose by seven goals," he said. "We will go there to try to win the game.

"But, at the end of the evening, if we are facing Chelsea in the next round that is all that matters.

"We aren't taking the game any differently than any other and there will be a lot of players anxious to impress and do well. We believe we are in a position to name a squad to do well in the game."

Rovers choose from: Flowers, Croft, Valery, Reed, Coleman, T Pedersen, Gill, Johnson, McKinlay, Andersson, Duff, Wilcox, Dahlin, P Pedersen, Beattie.

Kurt Nogan is expected to miss out for Preston with an Achilles injury but the trio of young players signed from Manchester United, Michael Appleton, Colin Murdock and Jonathan Macken, are all expected to play.

North End boss Gary Peters said: "It's a pride thing for us now and we'll treat it as a one-off game.

"We have to face facts but it gives us the chance, with the pressure off a little, to test ourselves against the best."

Preston are set to choose from: Moilanen, Parkinson, Jackson, Murdock, Kidd, Appleton, Rankine, Gregan, Barrick, Macken, Ashcroft, Reeves, Atkinson, Darby, Moyes, Cartwright.

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