Gael Givet has been ruled out of Blackburn's Premier League encounter with Fulham after failing to recover from a thigh problem.

The Frenchman picked up the injury during Sunday's 2-0 victory at Bolton Wanderers.

"Gael's still struggling, his thigh is really really sore," said assistant manager Neil McDonald."But he should be back fit for Saturday.

"But we're well covered. Pascal Chimbonda can play both sides and I think Lars Jacobsen did really well when he came on on Sunday including saving one off the line which helped us keep a clean sheet.

"So we have plenty of options. We'll sit down after training and see what sort of team the manager is going to pick."

Meanwhile, central defender and club captain Ryan Nelsen believes Rovers should be challenging for a top-ten finish this term.

Victory against the Cottagers will lift Rovers above Burnley into tenth spot, a position Nelsen believes is the least the club should be aiming for.

He said: "A year-and-a-half ago we came seventh," he said."We're disappointed with the last 18 months.

"For the past four or five years, Blackburn Rovers have been a top-ten club and that's where we aim to be. Wednesday is a crucial catch-up game. Win that and we'll be looking even better."

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