Blackburn Rovers manager Tony Mowbray has revealed bittersweet team news ahead of their match with Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon.
Bradley Dack is set to be available for the first time in a month to take on Steve Bruce’s men.
Last season’s top scorer was forced off with a knee injury in the win over Hull in the middle of August, having scored the winner.
Although there was the potential to use the attacker in the defeat to Bristol City, he was not risked, instead given a further two weeks to recover thoroughly ahead of a full return.
Derrick Williams is also set to return to the side having been unavailable since the opening day draw with Ipswich Town.
With the good news, comes the bad, however, with Dominic Samuel and Ben Gladwin both set to miss the rest of the season.
Samuel suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in the match against Reading last month, with Gladwin out since the end of December had had a knee injury, and that is expected to keep him out for the rest of the season.
Speaking ahead of this weekend’s clash, Mowbray said: “We have some long-term injuries with Dominic Samuel and Ben Gladwin being out, but generally the board that I pick players from looks strong and with plenty of quality.
“It’s tough for Ben and Dominic. Neither of them are going to play this season I would suggest. It’s a tough road, a long road, but after the operations, they know their recovery starts then.’
The Rovers boss added: “Bradley is looking sharp in training and looking like Bradley in his best, a lad who’s infectious, likes contacts, rolls players, scores lots of goals and is enjoying it and it’s good to hear his laugh back on the training ground.”
The Verdict
That is some truly awful news that Ben Gladwin and Dominic Samuel are both set to sit out the rest of a season that is only six matches old.
It is a big blow for Tony Mowbray and his side having seen the transfer windows close just two weeks ago.
With the terrible news, there is some solace for the Rovers boss who has Bradley Dack and Darrick Williams available for selection once more after recovering their respective injuries.
It remains to be seen how the injuries affect the Blackburn squad, but it goes without saying that Gladwin and Samuel recover from their respective injuries and return fitter and stronger in time for next pre-season.