Andy Ritchie gave us his thoughts ahead of this evening's game against Blackburn Rovers.

"We are looking to bounce back from Saturday's defeat and what a game to bounce back in! We were disappointed on Saturday and it's been well chronicled, so I don't want to go over it. We've put it behind us and look forward to what will be a real tough test for us and a great game for the fans to come and watch.

"We are playing against a top Premiership team, well, they're getting there. They are playing some good football, they had a 4-0 win at the weekend in the Inter Toto and I don't think they have lost yet this pre-season, so we know we are in for a really tough game.

"The lads should want to play against professional players who are in the top League and they are looking forward to it and so am I. We had a real tough day on Monday and worked hard yesterday preparing for the game. We are still in pre-season, still working for fitness. We are getting to where we need to be to start the season, where their bodies are overloaded so they get used to being tired as they certainly will be during the season.

"Blackburn have played a strong side in every other pre-season game and I would not expect Mark Hughes to bring a weakened side this evening. Having said that, a weakened side will probably contain 5 or 6 internationals! They have some excellent young players bubbling under, the likes of Treacy so who ever plays will test us.

"It should be a great game and we will do our best. I understand that it's the first pre-season friendly at home for some years, so it would be great to see lots of people down here for the game."