SIZE matters - especially when you're a defender. Those extra few inches can make all the difference when you're playing against a tall centre forward and I think they've found that to their cost recently.

Against West Brom they played against Kevin Campbell and Geoff Horsfield and that extra bit of height caused Rovers all kinds of problems.

And again on Saturday, James Beattie won more than his fair share of headers against Andy Todd and Ryan Nelsen. And that's where the size matters.

Neither have problems handling the physical aspects of the game but when you're over six feet tall it certainly helps stopping the centre forward getting the little flicks that can prove crucial.

But saying that I'm not sure changing the partnership tonight is the way to go.

When I was playing I always I always found it was good to build up an understanding with someone - to get to know their strengths and weaknesses.

All the central defenders on the books have played well this season and I think it comes down to form.

But tonight's game is a crucial one for Rovers. After two defeats they must beat Sunderland and having Craig Bellamy back is a big plus.

It's easy to look and the defence and lay the blame at their door but if you're not taking chances at the other end then it exacerbates the problem and highlights defensive errors.

With a fit Bellamy, Rovers look like a defferent proposition. He didn't really fire against Everton but that's understandable because he's been out for a while.

He is so vital to the cause especially if Rovers are to qualify automatically for europe rather than through the Intertoto Cup.

The revenue from the European competitions can be vital for a club like Rovers but the powers that be need to balance out what's best.

The players will be back on duty much earlier to play in the early rounds of the competition, and therefore, have to play more games in the season.

But if they can get into the group stages of the UEFA Cup, it could be considered a risk worth taking if the worst comes to the worst.