Former Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish was expected to launch a new-look side against his old side Liverpool later that week with recent signings Kevin Gallacher’s and Graham Le Saux both set to make their debuts.
Tim Sherwood was also likely to be back in midfield after suspension and veteran Gordon Cowans who was a stand-in for suspended Nicky Marker. Dalglish was one of the few premier league managers to plunge into transfer activity immediately before the premier league deadline.
But he left his dealings too late as neither Gallacher who was exchanged for Roy Wegerle nor Le Saux had yet not played for Blackburn. Rovers had had a brilliant start to the season and looked like the favourites to win the title but an injury to Alan Shearer meant that their season fell away post-Christmas.