Squad sheets: Sunderland v Blackburn Rovers

As a protest against Venky's, the Indian poultry producers and new, controversial, owners of Blackburn Rovers, fans have recently turned up at Ewood Park carrying live chickens. After confiscating the birds, Lancashire police hold them in cells until the final whistle. While the Northumbria force will doubtless be hoping visiting supporters come unencumbered by livestock, Steve Kean's squad arrive without several key players including Paul Robinson and, quite possibly, Christopher Samba as Sunderland aim to atone for Tuesday's 2-0 home defeat to Blackpool. That reverse saw Steve Bruce's side spurn 32 scoring chances. Sunderland's manager must trust Darren Bent re-discovers his shooting boots. Louise Taylor Venue Stadium of Light, Saturday 3pm Tickets £23-28 (0871 911 1973) Last season Sunderland 2 Blackburn 1 Referee Mike Dean This season's matches 16 Y 59, R 1, 3.75 cards per game Odds Sunderland 10-11 Blackburn 17-5 Draw 5-2 Sunderland Subs from Mignolet, Da Silva, Onuoha, Angeleri, Riveros, Cattermole, Zenden, Gyan, Adams, Cook, Noble Doubtful Cattermole, Gyan, Onuoha (all hamstring), Welbeck (neck) Injured Mensah (ankle, 8 Jan), Turner (knee, Feb), Campbell (knee, Mar), Carson (shoulder, unknown) Suspended None Form guide LLWDWL Disciplinary record Y33 R3 Leading scorer Bent 7 Blackburn Subs from Fielding, Givet, Chimbonda, Doran, Hoilett, Goulon, Hanley, Morris, Linganzi, Potts Doubtful Samba (ankle) Injured Andrews (groin, 8 Jan), Grella (groin, 8 Jan), Nzonzi (hamstring, 8 Jan), Roberts (hamstring, 15 Jan), Robinson (calf, 23 Jan), Jones (knee, May) Suspended Kalinic (first of three), Salgado (one match) Form guide WLDLWL Disciplinary record Y35 R2 Leading scorers Kalinic, Pedersen 4 Match pointers • The last eight league meetings between these sides have either been drawn (three times) or won by a single goal margin (five times) • If only the second half of matches counted, Blackburn would be in 19th place with 18 points • Sunderland are the only team in the Premier League not to have scored a goal from outside the box this season • Blackburn have scored more goals from corners (eight) than any other side • Darren Bent has been caught offside more times (27) than any other player