Arsenal's Theo Walcott ready for Rovers return

Theo Walcott could make his first appearance of the season when Blackburn Rovers visit Emirates.

The England winger played an hour of the reserves' 3-1 win over Olympiakos Under-20s at London Colney on Tuesday morning and Arsene Wenger confirmed he is available for the weekend after recovering from a back injury.

Fabio Capello also has one eye on Walcott for England's World Cup qualifiers with Ukraine and Belarus later this month.

"We played Olympiakos Under-20s and he (Walcott) played for 60 minutes and came through well," confirmed Wenger. "He will be available for England selection and for us on Sunday."

Rovers started the season with back to back defeats at home to Manchester City (0-2) and away at Sunderland (1-2) but in the past five games have won three and drawn one in all competitions, their only defeat coming on the road again at Everton (0-3).

In their last outing they produced their best performance of the season to beat Aston Villa 2-1 at Ewood Park, despite Vince Grella's sending off.

The Australian midfielder is suspended for Sunday's game.

Rovers' matchwinner last weekend, local hero David Dunn, was outstanding against the Villans as he continues to produce the form he showed in his first spell at the club before an ill-fated move to Birmingham in 2003.

Croatian striker Nikola Kalinic has yet to score after a �6m move, but Allardyce is putting no pressure on him.

"We are only six games into the season and Nikola is a young man," said the Rovers boss this week. One player to look out for; former Real Madrid stalwart Michel Salgado, a shock summer acquisition, who says he is loving life in Lancashire.

Ham & High Sport Verdict: Rovers were beaten 4-0 home and away last season by the Gunners and have picked up just one point from their last six trips to Arsenal. Expect that run to continue - 2-0 home win