BLACKBURN Rovers defender Adam Henley is ready to rival Todd Kane for a first-team spot after putting his injury hell behind him.
Henley has been restricted to just six appearances this year after being struck down by a succession of hamstring problems. But the highly rated 19-year-old, who last played for Rovers in the FA Cup quarter final draw at Millwall in March, is confident he is over the worst.
Now he wants to put pressure on on-loan Chelsea starlet Kane for the right-back role in Gary Bowyer’s starting line-up.
Henley said: “The problems with my hamstring go way back to the start of January so it’s really good to feel confident again about going my full speed and getting into my full stride.
“Todd is doing well this season so I’ve got to do as well as I can in any games that I play to prove I can push back into the team.
“I’ve got confidence in my own ability.
“In the last couple of seasons I’ve had first-team opportunities and I feel I can get back in there again.”
Henley will come into contention for Saturday’s visit of Charlton Athletic to Ewood Park (3pm).
Rovers boss Gary Bowyer has concerns over the fitness of Corry Evans and Josh King after they were injured on international duty.
Evans will be assessed at Brockhall this morning after coming off in Northern Ireland’s 1-1 draw in Israel on Tuesday.
The midfielder had to have an ice-pack strapped to his ankle after being the victim of a late challenge.
Bowyer, who will be without Grant Hanley through suspension on Saturday, said: “He’s been in fantastic form so fingers crossed he will be okay.”
King returned to Brockhall on Monday after sustaining a thigh strain which ruled him out of both of Norway’s World Cup qualifiers.
The winger has been working with the Rovers medical team this week in a bid to get him ready for the Charlton clash.
Captain Scott Dann and top-scorer Jordan Rhodes will return to full training today after suffering minor injuries – and they will be joined by DJ Campbell.
It will be the striker’s first full training session after recovering from the ankle ligament damage he sustained in pre-season.
Rovers lost their last league outing to Wigan.
But Henley believes the last-gasp defeat will not disrupt the momentum they had begun to show.
He said: “The results against Watford and Bournemouth showed the team is really starting to come together.
“Hopefully we can keep that bond together and keep the results coming in.
“There is definitely a good feel around the place and it has made a good difference this season.”
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