The return of Sam Gallagher can take some of the physical burden away from Ben Brereton, according to Tony Mowbray.

Brereton is likely to return to the left side of the Rovers attack for the visit of Cardiff City as Gallagher returns from injury. He has missed the last two matches with a thigh complaint having started the opening six matches of the season.

The 25-year-old had been starting in the central striking role prior to his injury, with Brereton playing from the left, but it was the Chile international who had the task of leading the line in the last two matches. It proved a tough ask against a physical Barnsley back three, and a similar challenge awaits Gallagher against Cardiff.

Mowbray said: “Ben has done very well for us, he scored a great goal against Hull, he’s had some great opportunities.

“I think he’s really disappointed he’s not got at least another two goal to his tally which would have taken him to six in eight games. He’s doing fine.

“I’m talking to the staff about trying to protect him, every single session he’s out there when some have a day inside and they’re getting a massage or in the pool.

“Yet every single training session Brereton is out there working hard and I know he’s only a young boy, but he’s really robust and working very hard on developing his game.

“The signs are there, you can see he’s stronger, more confident, he wants to shoot and score rather than setting people up.

“The physical aspect of Sam Gallagher will take a little bit of that physical burden away from him”