[monks data]

Championship

Aug 8, 2014 at 7.45pm UK

Blackburn Blackburn Rovers
1-1
Cardiff Cardiff City

Cairney (40')

FT(HT: 1-1)

Jones (18')

Team News: Alex Baptiste makes Blackburn Rovers debut in Championship opener

By Danielle Joynson, Staff Reporter and Sian Cowper, Reporter | 08 August 2014

Alex Baptiste makes his debut for Blackburn Rovers while Adam le Fondre starts for new club Cardiff City in the opening game of the Championship season.

Blackburn Rovers' new signing Alex Baptiste will make his Championship debut for the club in tonight's opening clash against Cardiff City.

Winger Ben Marshall has been placed on the bench after recently suffering a sickness bug, while Rudy Gestede has been handed a forward role alongside Jordan Rhodes.

Meanwhile, former Reading striker Adam le Fondre will make his competitive debut for the visitors to Ewood Park.

The forward starts up front alongside Kenwyne Jones and Nicky Maynard as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men look for an immediate return to the Premier League.

Blackburn Rovers XI: Robinson; Baptiste, Hanley, Kilgallon, Olsson; Cairney, Lowe, Evans, Conway; Rhodes, Gestede

Subs: Kean, King, Dunn, Marshall, Varney, Williamson, Taylor

Cardiff City XI: Marshall, Brayford, Connolly, Hudson, Fabio, Whittingham, Gunnarsson, Daehli, Maynard, Le Fondre, Jones