ROY Hodgson is prepared to take a few short-term risks tonight in a bid for long-term gain, as Blackburn Rovers take on Preston North End at Ewood in the Coca-Cola Cup.

The Rovers boss is determined to keep things in perspective, despite the hype being stirred up by a long-awaited derby clash.

And that could well mean a first game of the season for skipper Tim Sherwood, along with possible debuts for Tore Pedersen and Marlon Broomes.

Transfer-listed Ian Pearce, being watched by Crystal Palace and West Ham, is another contender along with Per Pedersen and Damien Duff as Rovers ring the changes tonight (kick-off 8pm).

Hodgson is crystal clear about his motives as he prepares without the injured Colin Hendry and others who are being rested.

"We will plan for the game seriously and thoroughly and hope to do well," he said.

"But we know that the game has much greater value for Preston than for us.

"We have to accept that for them it's an occasion they have been talking about for weeks. That's the nature of the business. "There's no excuses being made here, it's the way it is. We are fully aware of the pitfalls and it's up to us to make sure we don't fall into any traps.

"I want to see other players who I think are first team players. I will only find out if they are by playing them in first team games.

"My priorities like any other manager in the Premiership are: one the Premier League, two the FA Cup and three to win the Coca-Cola Cup.

"But it's a competition we have entered, will take seriously and will be doing our best to win.

"This year to some extent it has been devalued by the loss of the UEFA place. When all there is at the end of it is a pot and the UEFA place goes to the league, then that must make the league more important."

While in Italy, Hodgson saw teams like Juventus and Fiorentina go out of their cup to Third Division sides but he added: "We are going to work very hard to prevent that happening. We are up for the game and we will be ready for it."

Martin Dahlin, who has a cold, needs a late check and Jason Wilcox and Garry Flitcroft will join the squad if he is ruled out.

Otherwise, Rovers will choose from: Flowers, Kenna, Pearce, Broomes, T Pedersen, Croft, Andersson, Sherwood, Bohinen, Gallacher, Duff, P Pedersen, Sutton, Dahlin.

Preston boss Gary Peters is waiting on record signing Michael Appleton (calf injury).

They will choose from: Moilanen, Parkinson, Barrick, Appleton, Jackson, Gregan, Cartwright, Ashcroft, Reeves, Nogan, Rankine, Kidd, Macken, Darby, Murdock.

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