Chelsea not unbeatable, says Blackburn assistant

Chelsea have appeared unstoppable of late, with Sunday's 3-0 win at Arsenal their eighth victory in nine games, a sequence that has seen them net 28 times.

Currently five points clear at the top of the Barclays Premier League, Carlo Ancelotti's side have been imperious since the Italian took over as manager in the summer and look set to challenge for silverware on all fronts.

However, there have already been one or two unexpected defeats for the Blues along the way and Rovers assistant boss McDonald - who will again oversee first-team affairs with Sam Allardyce still recovering after heart surgery - believes Blackburn can be the next team to upset the odds.

"They are very strong and have a fantastic squad, but they are not unbeatable," McDonald said.

"Wigan have beaten them, Aston Villa have beaten them and we have to draw strength from that.

"They were all away from home, and our home form has been fantastic, so we must continue that against Chelsea.

"We have worked extremely hard to get to this point. Why should we say 'just because we are playing Chelsea that's us out?' We have to remain positive."

Blackburn have lost only once at home all season and McDonald believes the Ewood faithful can once again drive on the players' performance.

"It is a game of football, 11 versus 11," McDonald said.

"They (Chelsea) have some fantastic players but it is a long way for them to come on a cold Lancashire night and we have to try and use that to our advantage if we possibly can.

"With the crowd right behind us, it will spur us on to give a good performance.

"Our home form is good and we are going to have a right go at them. It will be fantastic if the crowd is bigger than what it normally is for the Carling Cup, knowing that we are playing a very good team in Chelsea.

"That will inspire the players to run even further and try even harder."

Having bowed out at the quarter-final stage in the Carling Cup for the last two years, McDonald believes if Blackburn can make it third time lucky tomorrow night, they have as good a chance as anybody of lifting the trophy.

"You would say if you get through this round, you've got one hell of a chance of winning it," McDonald said.

"At the same time, Manchester United, Arsenal - there are still a fair few teams left, so it is still going to be very difficult.

"But if you can come through this, you would have belief in yourself that you could go all the way."

Blackburn have suffered a set-back with the news that top-scorer David Dunn will be unavailable for the match after injuring his calf against Stoke on Saturday.

Allardyce will also be absent as he has been for Rovers' last three fixtures, with McDonald confirming the manager should return at the end of the week.

"He (Allardyce) is at home, he's convalescing and hopefully he will be back in work on Friday," said McDonald.