Blackburn Rovers could be handed a welcome injury boost ahead of their clash with Stoke City at Ewood Park on Wednesday night, with Joe Rothwell in line for a return to the side, manager Tony Mowbray has revealed.

Rothwell hasn't featured for Mowbray's side in any of their last five games after picking up a hamstring injury in a 2-1 win over QPR back on the 28th January.

Now however, it seems as though the 25-year-old is close to coming back into contention for selection for the midweek clash with the Potters.

Providing an update on Rothwell's fitness following his side's 2-2 draw with Brentford on Saturday afternoon, Mowbray told the Lancashire Telegraph: “The plan is that he’s (Rothwell) going to train on Monday and then we’ll see how he comes through that.

“Hopefully he might have an opportunity to be on the bench on Wednesday if he comes through the two days training.

“We’ll wait and see, but if he’s fit and flying then we might put him in the team."

Rovers have already been handed two injury boosts this week, with attacking duo Sam Gallagher and Joe Rankin-Costello both returning to the matchday squad for the trip to Brentford with injury problems of their own.

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So far this season, Rothwell has made 25 league appearances for Blackburn, but the attacking midfielder has yet to open his goalscoring account for the Championship campaign.

The Verdict

This will be a welcome boost for Rovers.

Having Rothwell available as an option again will allow Mowbray further scope to rotate his side, which, with a busy week of football to come, means this could be the perfect time for the midfielder to come back into contention.

Indeed, with Blackburn needing some positive results in the next few games to keep themselves in the play-off race, the return of someone who possesses the ability to come up with something out of very little in the way Rothwell can, could prove crucial in this particular battle.

However, with Mowbray not a manager who often rushes players back from injury, it could be something of a surprise to see Rothwell go straight back into the starting lineup against the Potters in midweek.