CHRIS Samba has been restored to the heart of Blackburn Rovers' defence for this afternoon's Premier League clash at West Ham.

Gael Givet will revert to his more customary left back role, with Martin Olsson pushed forward onto the left of midfield, with him and El-Hadji Diouf given the role of supporting front man Nikola Kalinic.

Rovers’ record at Upton Park may well be shocking in the Premier League years but, having lost just once against any of the current bottom half of the table this season, they have already shown signs of having the know-how to stay away from any relegation trouble.

A pre-match run of just one away win this season would have worried Allardyce though and with the Hammers having to leave Scott Parker and Carlton Cole on the bench, due to injury, there was never a better time to shatter their Boleyn Park jinx.

Rovers striker Benni McCarthy is yet to complete his move to West Ham but it is now expected to be concluded on Monday.

ROVERS:Paul Robinson, Pascal Chimbonda, Gael Givet, Chris Samba, Ryan Nelsen, Martin Olsson, Brett Emerton, Morten Gamst Pedersen, Steven Nzonzi, El-Hadji Diouf, Nikola Kalinic, SUBS: Jason Brown, Steven Reid , Keith Andrews, Michel Salgado, Franco Di Santo, Jason Roberts, Junior Hoilett

West Ham: Robert Green, Radoslav Kovac, Matthew Upson, Mark Noble, Jonathan Spector, Julien Faubert, Valon Behrami, Frank Nouble, James Tomkins, Jack Collison, Alessandro Diamanti SUBS: Marek Stech, Scott Parker, Carlton Cole, Freddie Sears, Manuel da Costa, Herita Ilunga, Junior Stanislas