BLACKBURN Rovers face a defensive quandary before tomorrow's searching Premiership confrontation with Arsenal at Ewood Park.

Defensive king pins Colin Hendry and Chris Coleman are both ruled out against the Gunners.

Hendry is recovering from recent groin surgery while Coleman is probably sidelined for the rest of the season after rupturing his Achilles tendon at Coventry.

That will force Rovers to re-shape their defensive strategy as they search for their first Premiership win for five months.

"We've had the heart ripped out of our defence and we've lost two of our most influential players," admitted assistant boss Tony Parkes.

"But we've got good cover. Ian Pearce, Nicky Marker and Henning Berg can all do a job in there. "Even Chris Sutton, who has played as a striker and a defender, can offer us an option on a short-term basis.

"But probably two out of those first three will form the partnership against Arsenal."

Pearce is short of match practice and the likely pairing is Berg and Marker, with Jeff Kenna - who has also been struggling with injury - and Gary Croft are likely to fill the full back slots.

But the Arsenal game has arrived too soon for England defender Graeme Le Saux.

Rovers were hoping to include him in their squad tomorrow and there was speculation that Le Saux may force his way onto the substitutes' bench.

But, after missing last weekend's reserve team fixture, he will be rested for a further week. Manager Ray Harford added: "I'm not going to put any extra pressure on Graeme. He's got to be A1 ready to play.

"He's worked ever so hard to get where he is after a major injury and we will not rush him back too soon and risk a setback."

Harford added: "Arsenal will prove tough opposition. They were everybody's whipping boys at the start of the season but their spirit has shone through over the last couple of months. We will have to work extra hard to beat them."

Striker Kevin Gallacher could force his way back into contention tomorrow after missing Scotland's recent World Cup qualifiers with a hamstring injury.

Gallacher was rated at "only 50/50" today by Harford. The Rovers boss adds youngsters James Beattie, Damien Duff and Marlon Broomes to his squad.

Colin Hendry is expected to return to light training on Monday and is likely to be ruled out for a further fortnight.

Rovers' scheduled reserve game against Manchester United at Gigg Lane on November 6 has been postponed. A new date has yet to be arranged.

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