Tony Mowbray will welcome Bradley Johnson back into the squad for the weekend trip to Blackpool, with Rovers sweating over the fitness of several first-team regulars.

Mowbray says a number of others are ‘touch and go’ for the game, with Joe Rothwell, who was forced off injured in the Huddersfield Town defeat, and Sam Gallagher, who has been struggling with a groin issue, not involved in training on Thursday.

Captain Darragh Lenihan is set to miss a second successive match with a groin problem, though Mowbray hasn’t ruled out the prospect of risking the Irishman, with Jan Paul van Hecke and Scott Wharton still unavailable through injury.

The defensive pair are set to feature for the Under-23s in the coming weeks to boost their fitness, though Joe Rankin-Costello still isn’t ready after suffering a setback on his comeback from a fractured metatarsal.

Rovers have also confirmed that Ryan Nyambe won’t be available at Blackpool, and also won’t meet up with Namibia for their World Cup qualifiers with Senegal.

The 23-year-old was forced off in the defeat to Huddersfield Town with concussion, and after following protocols, and upon medical advice, Nyambe has been ruled out of action.

Nyambe was set to meet up with the Brave Warriors ahead of the first game with Senegal on October 9, and then return to Rovers, missing the return leg three days later, after a compromise was reached owing to quarantine rules.

It will be the fourth game this season that Nyambe has missed, with a hamstring injury having seen him miss games against Nottingham Forest, West Bromwich Albion and Middlesbrough.

That will force a reshuffle at the back, with Mowbray having moved to a back five following Nyambe’s withdrawal, as Tyler Magloire was sent on in his place.

The two week international break will follow the trip to Blackpool, and ahead of the game, Mowbray said: “It’s a bit touch and go with a few, we’ll get them on the grass tomorrow and see how they feel.

“The international break is around the corner after Saturday’s game and I think it’s coming as a good time for us.

“It will help re-energise a few, and give others a week or two to get over the knocks they have got.

“We’re looking forward to going to Blackpool and trying to find a strong performance.”

Asked whether he had ruled Lenihan out of the game, Mowbray added: “In mind yes, but don’t be surprised if he does make it.

“My mind is edging towards that he probably won’t. It’s a risk and reward, do you ask him to play against Blackpool but then miss him for six to eight weeks, or do you know that miss this one and then you have a two week break after it and there’s every chance he’s ready for Coventry. We’ll have that discussion as a staff and make the decision with Darragh.”

A boost for Rovers comes in that Bradley Johnson is expected to feature in a matchday squad for the first time this season.

The club’s most experienced player has been out since the opening friendly at AFC Fylde with a hamstring injury, but Mowbray says he will be in the travelling party for the game at Bloomfield Road.

He said: “Johnno will be in the squad this weekend. Senior players they always think they’re ready, they also think they are ready after 45 minutes, in their mind, but I have to judge that it’s a lot different to play small-sided games to playing 11v11 with adrenaline, crowds and having to run, jump and the distances are much bigger.

“He’s not far away and he’ll be in the travelling squad this weekend.”