Opportunity knocks for the attackers within Jon Dahl Tomasson’s squad in a bid to replace Bradley Dack.

Dack had started every game since the World Cup break in his favoured role behind the striker before being left out of the side against Swansea City.

An injury sustained when coming off the bench will keep the 29-year-old out until the March international break, and open the door for someone to take his place.

In Dack’s absence, the head coach reverted to a back three for the first time since December at the weekend, matching up Swansea.

That saw a recall for Sam Gallagher in attack, with Ryan Hedges and Sam Szmodics hoping for their opportunities have been short of chances of late, in part due to the form of Dack.

On whether he has a like-for-like replacement in his squad, Tomasson said: “Every player is of course different and has different qualities.

“One of Bradley’s qualities is being an intelligent footballer and he can score goals.

“We need that in the team so it’s of course disappointing to lose him.

“On the other hand, the players need to try and create that.”

Szmodics hasn’t started a Championship game for Rovers since December 10.

His absence, which included him being ruled out for five games through injury, coincided with Dack’s run of starts.

Tyrhys Dolan eyeing up a fourth consecutive league start tomorrow night, while Sorba Thomas has started each of the four games he’s been available for since signing on loan.

On the flip side, Jack Vale hasn’t made the matchday squad in the last three games having started the three Championship fixtures before that.

With Ben Brereton a doubt for the Seasiders’ visit, Tomasson has selection calls to make in attack, which could see a return of the 4-2-3-1 formation he has favoured in 2023.

“We all know that with all these intense games, in a great league, the most intense league in the world, will bring opportunities,” Tomasson added.

“We need to use the whole squad if we want to get through this period of games because the squad is not that big.

“Every day is an opportunity in training and in a game.”

Meanwhile, Brereton is a big doubt for tomorrow night’s visit of Blackpool due to a hamstring concern.

Brereton had to be replaced in the weekend win over Swansea City after pulling up when getting on the end of a John Buckley delivery in the second half.

The 23-year-old ended his three-month wait for a goal against West Brom last week, but has been short of form and fitness in 2023.

Tomasson will have to weigh up whether to include the Chile international tomorrow night in what is a busy period of games.

Brereton is one of the few players not to be given a rest so far this season, but the head coach hinted that such a situation could be on the horizon.

“We have a couple of question marks within the squad. Ben is a doubt for the game,” Tomasson said.

“We are monitoring all the numbers in games and training and then we have to make a decision as staff.

“One game is important, but five games are also important which are coming quite fast.

“It’s better to sometimes have a player for four games, rather than one game.

“That’s a risk, it depends on the game and how many players or bodies we have in the squad.

“We all know that we can’t change that, we know about the transfer market, we can’t change, so I focus on the things that I can focus on and that’s the players that are fit.”