The post-Michael Appleton era begins at Blackburn Rovers on Friday when they welcome struggling Blackpool to Ewood Park in the Championship.

Having relieved Appleton of his duties, Gary Bowyer has been placed in caretaker charge until the end of the season. He must hit the ground running with Rovers struggling for form in the league, losing two of their last three matches.

Blackpool have lost just one of their last five, but they have managed just one win in that period, a run of form that has left them in 17th position in the table, one spot above Blackburn.

The reverse fixture at the beginning of the season ended in a 2-0 win for Blackpool, but the points were shared in a 2-2 draw the last time these two sides met at Ewood Park, in March 2011 in the Premier League.

Blackburn could name the same side that drew with Burnley before the international break, although on-loan Manchester City defender Karim Rekik and experienced midfielder Morten Gamst Pedersen are both pushing for recalls.

Blackpool boss Paul Ince has no fresh injury concerns and is once more expected to name Nathan Delfouneso as the lone striker, but Elliot Grandin could come into the midfield at the expense of former Scotland captain Barry Ferguson.

Recent form:

Blackburn: LLDLD

Blackpool: DDDWL

Possible lineups:

Blackburn: Kean; Kane, Dann, Hanley, Olsson; Lowe, Dunn, Jones, Stewart; Rhodes, Best

Blackpool: Gilks; Crainey, Broadfoot, Baptiste, MacKenzie; Phillips, Ferguson, Osbourne, Sylvestre, Ince; Delfouneso

Sports Mole says: 2-1

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