Blackburn Rovers attacker Bradley Dack says he will play at least two games for the club's Under 23s side before he returns to action for Tony Mowbray's senior side.

Dack hasn't featured for Rovers in any form since suffering an ACL injury against Wigan back on the 23rd December, but the attacker is now closing on his return to match action.

Even so, it seems unlikely that Dack will be thrown straight back into the senior setup when he is finally ready to get back out on the pitch.

Speaking about what his reintroduction to competitive football might look like, Dack was quoted by The Lancashire Telegraph as saying: “I will probably play a minimum of two Under-23s games or in-house games if they’re set up, two or three of those, then a week training before I’m ready for selection.

“I’ve got a date in mind, between four and five weeks, back in, playing.”

Although Dack's return has been delayed slightly in recent weeks, the 26-year-old believes that extra time to prepare could benefit him in the long run.

Giving a broader assessment of his route back to fitness, the attacker added: “The surgeon told me it would be between nine and 12 months, but he told the physios it would be closer to 12.

“For me to get back to where I am now, I’ve completed my full rehab, I’ve just had this little setback but on the plus side the surgeon has said that it’s only a good thing for my knee to have this extra four week to let the ACL be even stronger than it is already.

“I’ve seen it as a blessing in disguise, not rushing it, and I’ll be back soon.”

Prior to his injury, Dack had of course been a key figure for Rovers following his move from Gillingham in the summer of 2018, scoring 46 goals and providing 22 assists in 114 appearances in all competitions for the club.

The Verdict

This is probably a sensible approach to his return for Dack and Blackburn to take in all honesty.

Having been out of action for so long, it makes absolutely no sense for Rovers to rush Dack back in the next few weeks, which could only risk him doing too much too soon and putting himself back on the sideines.

Indeed, when you consider how long he was supposed to be out for, the fact he is still as close as he is to a return to action is still rather remarkable, and a testament to the effort he has put in to get fit again.

Even so, considering the influence he is capable of having on this side, there is not a single person associated with Blackburn Rovers who will not be delighted to see Dack back on the pitch when he does eventually make his return to action.