Dan Butterworth is ready to ‘burst onto the scene’, according to Tony Mowbray, who came close to including him in the squad for the midweek win over Rotherham United.

Butterworth is on the comeback trail after a year out with back issues, and has played twice for the Under-23s, with further minutes planned at Derby County on Monday night.

However, the 21-year-old would have been in the first-team squad on Wednesday night had Tom Trybull not shaken off the bout of illness that threatened to keep him out against the Millers.

Mowbray has already handed the attacker his first-team debut, that back in the 2018/19 season, but injuries have thwarted his opportunities since.

But excited to have him back, Mowbray said: “Danny Butterworth was the other one in the squad but didn’t make it because Trybull did.

“It’s great to have him back. He needs to play some games but I felt as though we needed him, if Trybull didn’t make it.

“He’d have probably got on the pitch for 10 or 15 minutes because he’s electric, he can shoot with both feet, he’s a dynamite footballer who will burst onto the scene in the next year and everyone is going to think ‘wow, who’s that?’”

Brad Lyons was presented with his first taste of the senior squad on a matchday when included among the nine substitutes, reward for his form at Under-23s level.

There he has scored five times in his last five fixtures, and the 23-year-old, signed from Coleraine in 2018, could be primed for a loan move in January.

Though Mowbray, a regular attendee at Under-23s matches, has been impressed with the Irishman’s attitude.

“I think he warranted it, though the numbers dictated it. Tom Trybull was touch and go because he’s been ill and I was a bit worried of the aftereffects of illness might have drained him,” he said.

“Brad deserved it, he’s scored five goals in the last five games for the Under-23s, he’s an absolute warrior.

“He’s a diamond of a kid, he’d run through a brick wall for you.”