John Eustace will be forced into two alterations due to injury when Blackburn Rovers face Sunderland on Boxing Day.

Lewis Travis and Harry Pickering are both facing spells on the sidelines after hamstring and knee injuries sustained against Millwall.

That opens the door for Lewis Baker and Owen Beck to return in their place. Beck came on as a substitute at The Den after being ill last week but is fit to start.

Baker deputised for Travis at Hull City three weeks ago and so it would be logical to assume he might get a run of matches over the next six weeks.

Outside of that, Callum Brittain may return at right-back in place of Joe Rankin-Costello, who has started the last three matches.

The other alterations could be a reshuffle at the top of the pitch. Eustace has started Makhtar Gueye and Yuki Ohashi together in the last two games but I think one will drop out.

Todd Cantwell is far better suited to the number ten role. Ryan Hedges will be pushing to take his spot on the left, with Gueye most vulnerable to dropping to the bench to accommodate Cantwell's move inside.

On the right, I believe Eustace may prefer the experience of Tyrhys Dolan for such a big game. Cozier-Duberry has impressed in his last two starts but he can still make an impact from the bench.

Predicted Rovers team: Pears; Brittain, Hyam, Batth, Beck; Baker, Tronstad; Dolan, Cantwell, Hedges; Ohashi.