Sam Allardyce has confirmed he will be back in charge of Blackburn Rovers for the visit of Liverpool on Saturday, albeit he will be confined to the stands at Ewood Park rather than patrolling the touchline.

'Big Sam' has missed Rovers' last four games after undergoing an angioplasty procedure, which in layman's terms equates to an operation to widen a coronary artery, last month, and has been recuperating at home ever since.

Thankfully, the former Newcastle and Bolton boss was unable to attend his side's Carling Cup quarter-final triumph over Chelsea on penalties on Wednesday night as we doubt his ticker could have handled the drama.

But in all serious it will be good to see the 55-year-old return to the game and he admits he is looking forward to being back.

"It is an unexpected situation what has happened, and a bit of a traumatic experience but the specialists are saying I can move back into there now and get on with the job I love doing and I am looking forward to seeing the lads,"
he told Sky Sports News.

"I was overwhelmed with the amount of well wishers and I would like to thank them, publicly, as it is impossible for me to get back to everyone that has been a weel-wisher.

"I am fit and well now and I really appreciate their concern.

"At the moment I feel really good."

Allardyce admits he will have to modify his lifestyle in future to in order to maintain his health.

He added: "I'll look after myself a bit more than I did before, keep my cholesterol down, keep going for regular testing and do more exercise if and when possible."