BLACKBURN Rovers coach Craig Short says the strength in depth the club now boasts at centre back means captain Grant Hanley will not have to be rushed back into action.

Hanley has sat out Rovers’ last two matches with the knee injury he picked up playing for Scotland two weeks ago.

But, after returning to training this week, he hopes to be named in Gary Bowyer’s squad for today’s trip to Nottingham Forest (3pm).

Rovers boss Bowyer, however, does have the option of holding Hanley back if he is not 100 per cent fit.

Matt Kilgallon is back from the suspension he incurred after his controversial sending off in last Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Ipswich Town while Shane Duffy and the fit-again Alex Baptiste struck up a solid partnership in Tuesday’s 1-0 home win over Birmingham City.

Short, a former Rovers defender, said: “There’s no need to rush Grant. You can do that sometimes and it can be to your detriment.

“At some clubs you can have two centre halves and there’s back up but we’ve got competition.

“We don’t have to take risks with anyone.”

The in-form Duffy is certain to start at the City Ground this afternoon.

The 22-year-old has impressed Short since he followed in his footsteps by making the move from Everton to Rovers on the final day of the summer transfer window.

“I’m pleased the way Shane has slotted in,” said Short, who spent six seasons at Ewood Park after a £1.7m switch from the Toffees in July 1999.

“He’s powerful, he’s aggressive and when the ball is coming into the box in the last few minutes of the game invariably his head is up there and heading it away.

“We’ve been pleased with Shane.

“I remember when he came here last year, when he was on loan at Yeovil, and he did very, very well against Rudy Gestede who was on really good form at that time. Rudy found it very, very difficult and Shane competed really well.

“I spoke to Shane when he first came here and I said that I was impressed with him against Rudy and he said he had to set his stall out as he knew it was going to be a battle – and he did.

“He’s an old-fashioned centre half but he can play, Shane, he’s comfortable on the ball, he’s got a nice strike on him, and for a big lad he can move as well.

“But primarily he’s a very, very powerful lad in the air and you need that.

“He’s only young and he’s going to get better and better.”