Blackburn Rovers manager Tony Mowbray has suggested that both midfielder Stewart Downing and defender Derrick Williams could also play apart in Saturday's trip to Queens Park Rangers, despite not training on Thursday, while there was a third unnamed player who should also be available.

Both players played a key part in Blackburn's 1-1 draw at home to in form Nottingham Forest on Tuesday at Ewood Park, with Williams helping to keep Rovers' defence tight and not allow Forest striker Lewis Grabban many clear-cut chances in front of goal, and Downing producing some excellent passes and link-up play from the centre of midfield.

However, Williams and Downing both picked up little knocks in the match against Nottingham Forest, meaning they had to miss out on Thursday's training session ahead of Blackburn traveling down to London to take on QPR at Loftus Road on Saturday.

Speaking to Blackburn's official club website ahead of the game against QPR, Mowbray offered encouragement that both Downing and Williams will be involved on Saturday despite missing training, saying: "Stewart Downing didn’t train, Derrick Williams didn’t train and there was someone else who didn’t train, but I can’t remember who.

"But the physios say that they should be okay, so we’ll assess before the game and attempt to pick a team that will cause QPR some problems.

"Derrick got a knock against Nottingham Forest and was hobbling about a bit after getting a knee in the back, I think.

"Stewart’s just a little bit tight. I often think with footballers, in a three-game week, they’d be better off spending a day getting a massage or relaxing in a bath rather than running around on a training pitch.

"Ultimately they have to put themselves in a position to try and play a game."

The Verdict

Mowbray will be pleased that he should be able to once again call upon both Williams and Downing to feature against QPR on Saturday, with both players key performers so far for Rovers this season and managing to add some extra quality to both Blackburn's defence and midfield.

Williams has formed an effective partnership with Darragh Lenihan at the heart of Blackburn's defence, which has already collected four clean sheets in ten league games and it is vital that Rovers keep both players fit so that they can continue giving themselves a solid base from which to play from.

Downing, meanwhile, has been an astute addition to Blackburn's squad with the experienced midfielder adding quality in terms of his set piece delivery and general play, and Mowbray will be hoping he stays fit to keep improving the players around him as the season progresses.