CREWE'S Rob Hulse could make his first team debut against a tough-looking Blackburn Rovers this Saturday.

After a disappointing attacking display at Fulham, boss Dario Gradi is looking to bolster his side's firepower for the Alexandra Stadium's first taste of action this season.

Expectations have been growing of the 20-year-old local lad since scoring a cracker at Barnsley in May and a quality contribution as sub at Craven Cottage might just have won him a start against most people's title favourites.

"I was pleased with Hulsey at Fulham," said Gradi. "He didn't give them the respect that the others showed them and that's what we needed.

"There's not a lot to choose between Tait, Hulse and Rivo for that role down the middle and anyone has got a chance of playing if we play like that."

Gradi revealed there was a lot he could take from the 2-0 defeat at Fulham but not much that was complementary.

"I thought Sodje did okay too. He looked like he could cope with this standard of football."

The only other real plus point for Gradi was that no-one sustained any serious knocks.

David Wright was out of training at the start of the week with a swollen knee but should be back in time for Blackburn.

A likely absentee from the starting line-up is Rodney Jack who was due to depart on international commitments yesterday.

"We are expecting him back on Friday night and he probably will be starting on the bench this Saturday," said Gradi.

A permanent departure was made by Mark Foran, last Friday, who left to join Marcus Bignot at Bristol Rovers for a fee around £75,000 despite earlier turning down a move to the Second Division outfit.

"It was a fair price and from a business point of view we had to accept that and leave it up to him," said Gradi.

Peter Smith and Anthony Charles will also be made available for loan as the Crewe boss feels they are not close enough to the first team at the moment.

Turning his attention to Blackburn, Gradi is expecting another difficult Saturday.

Graeme Souness has been gearing his side for a return to the Premiership and new additions John Curtis, Stig Inge Bjornebye and old favourite Craig Hignett have joined what is arguably the strongest squad in the Division.

Blake and Jansen got them off to the perfect start in a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace, without Hignett who's Achilles problem may rule him out of this Saturday.

"I'm expecting Blackburn to be better than Fulham and have a tougher edge to them.

"But you never know we took four points from them last year."

If you remember that amazing Sunday afternoon at Ewood Park back on March 11, you'll know anything is possible.

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