Blackburn Rovers manager Tony Mowbray says the physical pressure Lewis Holtby is putting himself under is part of the reason why the midfielder has yet to play a full 90 minutes this season.

Holtby joined Rovers on a two-year contract in September following his release by German second-tier side Hamburg at the end of the last season.

Since then, Holtby has made seven appearances for Blackburn - scoring his first goal for the club in a 2-2 draw with Huddersfield - although he has been substituted in all three games he has started.

Speaking about why that may be the case, Mowbray told the Lancashire Telegraph: “He’s an exceptionally fit guy but he’s conscious of his own body.

“The 90 minutes, he hasn’t done that yet, the demands he puts on himself and the distance he covers is very high."

[freshpress-poll ]

It seems as though Holtby is putting in plenty of hours on the training ground in a bid to be able to get through those full 90 minutes as soon as possible, as Mowbray added: “I think we have to manage him through the week but he’s very professional.

“He’s taking in his own cryotherapy and is a very conscientious guy about his body, his fitness, and what he needs to do to get himself ready for a matchday.” 

Rovers have endured a difficult run of form of late, with Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Leeds United meaning they have won just one of their last eight games, leaving them 18th in the Championship table.

Holtby and his teammates will be looking to improve that record after the international break, when they host bottom side Barnsley at Ewood Park, before taking on Brentford and Stoke later that week.

The Verdict

Fair play to Holtby here.

The work Mowbray says he is doing certainly seems to show just how dedicated he is to getting himself up to the level he needs to be at to come through full games as quickly as possible.

That commitment to the cause is something that you imagine will do Holtby himself a big favour, not just in terms of the opportunities he earns for himself, but also the increased popularity amongst the club's fanbase it will give him.

Indeed, considering the signs of promise Holtby has shown for Rovers this season, getting him back up to full fitness is something that could be a big boost for Mowbray's men as they look to haul themselves back up the table in the coming weeks.