Cesc Fabregas, who didn't have a particularly brilliant game against Chelsea in the League Cup final on Sunday, is set to be rested, as is Thierry Henry. The captain has a minor injury, but one can't help feeling he'd be playing if it were a more important game. He may well be rested for the Reading game on Saturday too, all with the aim of ensuring he's available for the biggest game of the season, at home to PSV Eindhoven next week.

Some of the absences are not through choice, however. Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor are banned following their red cards on Sunday, and Abou Diaby has an ankle injury caused by John Terry's head. Emmanuel Eboue's charge of violent conduct is not due to be heard by the FA's disciplinary board until tomorrow, so he is available.

We expect Gilberto and William Gallas to return to the side, however. The Brazilian to captain the side and to be partnered either by Matthieu Flamini or Denilson in the centre of midfield. Matty would probably be preferred if it weren't for a foot injury which is likely to see him miss the game. Tomas Rosicky is out with a groin injury, and Theo Walcott may be rested because of his shoulder problem (although surgery is being delayed as a result, they say, of Diaby's injury).

So, Alexander Hleb and Freddie Ljungberg on the wings, probably, and maybe Jeremie Aliadiere and Julio Baptista up front again. Doesn't seem like there's a lot of choice.

In defence Johan Djourou is out with an ankle problem and Justin Hoyte with a hamstring strain. Eboue will probably start so as to get him up to speed for next week, but Gael Clichy is in the squad but a doubtful starter. He's thought to be fit again fromhis foot injury but perhaps wiser to rest him for another game with next Wednesday in mind. William Gallas could play at left back but is needed to fill in for Toure alongside Philippe Senderos so Armand Traore is likely to start again having done pretty well on Sunday until Arjen Robben came on. Of course, Gilberto could play at centre back allowing Gallas to play at left or right back.... but then who'd play alongside Denilson in midfield?

Basically, we're a bit thin on the ground. Possible starting 11 is

Almunia
Eboue Senderos Gallas Clichy/Traore
Hleb Gilberto Denilson Freddie
Aliadiere Baptista

Subs: Poom, Traore/Clichy, Walcott, ummm, errr....

Rovers have few problems as far as availability is concerned. Chris Samba is a slight doubt with a knee problem and Ryan Nelson missed the Portsmouth game at the weekend, but both are thought to be ok for tonight. They also have long-term injuries to Andre Ooijer, Steven Reid, and Robbie Savage.

Benni McCarthy returns to the fold and is likely to replace Matt Derbyshire as the lone striker.

I thought Mark Hughes' tactics in the first game were strange, that he should have gone more for the win as the game went on, and that we'd be strong favourites for the replay.

But with us having a whole team missing through injury or suspension or not caring about the FA Cup enough, and them missing just one player from their squad tonight, perhaps his choice was inspired after all.

The winners face Manchester City in the quarter-final. We're going to need a display similar to that which won the last replay at Bolton to get through this.