Blackburn Rovers v Stoke City preview: Jon Walters set to return for visitors

Rovers boss Gary Bowyer has hinted that he will make a number of changes for Saturday's match. The in-form Chris Taylor is almost certain to start but other players will have their fitness assessed before the match to determine whether or not they will play. Jason Lowe and David Dunn will miss out through injury while Jay Spearing is cup tied after playing in the competition for Bolton this season.

Stoke boss Mark Hughes is hopeful of having Jonathan Walters available. Forward Walters sat out Wednesday's 4-1 Barclays Premier League loss to Manchester City due to an ongoing knee issue that the Potters are trying to manage. Erik Pieters (hernia) has an outside chance of featuring, but Ryan Shawcross (back), Marc Wilson (groin) and Stephen Ireland (hamstring) are not yet ready to make their returns from injury. Jack Butland is set to get a run-out in goal, with regular number one Asmir Begovic being rested.

Blackburn have lost just two of their last 20 FA Cup home games (W14 D4 L2).

Jonathan Walters has scored 10 goals in his last 15 starts in the FA Cup.

The Potters have won five and lost none of their last six away FA Cup games against lower division teams.

Stoke have won six and lost none of the last seven meetings with Blackburn.

Rovers have played Stoke twice in the FA Cup before with both teams winning one tie by a 1-0 scoreline.

Rovers have seen four opposition players sent off in their last four FA Cup matches.

Gary Bowyer: "It is the third game in a week for us and it’s been a very tough week in that. And then we know what we’ve got the following week as well so we might have to be sensible with one or two but we’ll see how that goes and see how they are in training.”

Mark Hughes: "Of all the players who missed out on Wednesday, Jon Walters is the only one who realistically looks like he could be okay. We left him out on Wednesday with the sole purpose of hopefully having him available to us on Saturday. He has a little problem which we have got to manage correctly, and that is what we have been doing with him. He hasn't trained this week, but we will see how he is today.”

Blackburn Rovers (21/10) Stoke City (6/4) Draw (12/5)