TONY Parkes boomed out a rallying cry to Blackburn Rovers' players today: "It's roll up your sleeves time."

And the caretaker-manager, completely unfazed at being thrust into the Ewood hot seat once again, also had a few words of warning for tomorrow's visitors Liverpool.

"We might just have one or two surprises in store for them," said a positive Parkes.

"People might say that the last team you want to play when you haven't won a game is Liverpool. But I believe exactly the opposite applies.

"This is the best game we could have. There won't be any nerves and no need for motivation.

"The game will lift the players and the fans will be up for it too.

"Quite rightly, the fans will believe that we go into the game as second favourites.

"But my thoughts are all positive.

"I know what it's like. Manchester United and Newcastle both lost away last week. They call results like that coupon busters and they are always going to happen.

"If the favourites were to win every time, there wouldn't even be any coupons.

"So why shouldn't it happen at Ewood tomorrow.

"There are enough negatives about the club at the moment, we've had enough downers. It has to be a positive reaction and that's certainly what you'll get from me.

"The players can take a lot of encouragement from how they played at West Ham. "It will all be about pride, passion and commitment from our players. It's roll up your sleeves time.

"They showed at West Ham that they wanted to do something about the position they are in.

"And, as long as they battle like that and are together, they have every chance.

"I haven't talked with them about a new manager this week. It doesn't really matter who is in charge tomorrow, it's down to the players.

"This is my third time in charge and if people think I am going to lose sleep wondering if I am still going to be here when a new man comes in, then they can think again.

"I have been here 26 years, if I go so be it. But I am thinking only about the Liverpool game and I am in a very positive mood.

"It has been a shame what has happened to the club. Things have turned full circle. But let's hope it is Blackburn Rovers players making the headlines tomorrow."

Barring reactions, Colin Hendry, Chris Sutton and Kevin Gallacher all look set to return to the team and Parkes acknowledged Rovers must improve their goal record.

"We have to score goals, we know that," he said.

"Seven goals in 11 games isn't good enough. You aren't going to win matches with that kind of record. "We have a squad with plenty of internationals and people say we are too good to go down. But we have to drum it into the players that they are good enough to win games."

Rovers are set to choose from: Flowers, Kenna, Berg, Marker, Le Saux, Donis, Sherwood, McKinlay, Flitcroft, Wilcox, Fenton, Bohinen, Ripley, Croft, Broomes, Given, Gallacher, Sutton, Hendry.

Liverpool could recall Mark Wright at the expense of John Scales, or switch Michael Thomas and bring in Jamie Redknapp.

They are expected to choose from: James, Wright, Matteo, Babb, McAteer, McManaman, Thomas, Barnes, Bjornebye, Berger, Fowler, Redknapp, Ruddock, Kennedy, Collymore, Warner, Scales.

Tomorrow's game is all-ticket (kick-off 3pm) and, even if any are still unsold, they will NOT be available on the day.

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