Blackburn Rovers have been handed a fitness boost after midfielder Joe Rankin-Costello featured in a behind closed doors friendly recently, as per a report by the Lancashire Telegraph.

The versatile midfield player featured in the match against Morecambe and is continuing to build his fitness up towards a potential return to first team action over the coming months at Ewood Park.

Rankin-Costello hasn't featured for Tony Mowbray's side since fracturing his metatarsal on Good Friday against Wycombe Wanderers but could be back in action for Rovers against Luton Town on Saturday.

The likes of  Jacob Davenport, Jake Garrett, Tyrhys Dolan, Aynsley Pears, Dan Pike and Tyler Magloire were all also involved in the game which was put in place to give minutes to certain players during the international break.

Rankin-Costello featured 17 times for Blackburn last season and was largely deployed as a makeshift right back by Mowbray.

The Verdict 

This will come as a very big boost for Rovers who are looking to gain some consistency in their results moving forwards under Mowbray.

Rankin-Costello is a player who can play in various positions and has been an influential figure for the club when he has played regularly since joining from Manchester United.

His best position is still arguably in midfield and it will be interesting to see where Blackburn plan to use him once he gets back to full fitness.

However it appears likely that the utility man will be deployed at right back again, with only Ryan Nyambe being the only available option to Mowbray in that position at present.

There are arguably a lot better options in midfield that are ahead of Rankin-Costello in the pecking order, so dropping back into the defence once again could do him the world of good in terms of playing time this season.