It was a case of needs must for Jon Dahl Tomasson in using Ben Brereton and Bradley Dack off the bench, but hopes both can play a key part in the run-in, starting with the Good Friday visit of Norwich City.

Brereton was rated as doubtful ahead of the game by Tomasson after sustaining a knock during the international break while playing for Chile in a friendly with Paraguay.

The 23-year-old has now started just two of the last six matches, but went into the break on the back of scoring three goals in as many games, and Tomasson knows having a fully-fit Brereton will be key.

Dack had been out for a month with a hamstring injury before building up his fitness during the break and was sent on for the final 10 minutes as Rovers went in search of an equaliser.

He twice went close to doing so, even though Tomasson admitted he wasn’t close to being fully fit.

In an ideal world he wouldn’t have used either, but expects the pair to be in contention to start against Norwich.

“We all know at this stage of the season you want everyone to be at the best fitness,” Tomasson said.

“Of course it was great to have Ben back, but if we were leading I would not have used him.

“It would probably would have been better to leave him at home, but he didn’t get injured which was important.

“Dack has just come back from injury as well.

“They will probably be up to speed in the next period.

“We have players who can win games and of course to do that you need goals.

“Ben and Dack have scored goals, and hopefully not just those two, but other players as well.”

Tomasson tried to manage Dack’s fitness by resting him for the February 15 meeting with Swansea City having started every game since the World Cup break up to that point.

However, he picked up a hamstring injury only moments after coming off the bench and was sidelined until the March international break.

Tomasson weighed up whether to include the 29-year-old in the matchday squad at St Andrew’s, but with a shortage of other attacking options, decided to put him on the bench and then used him for the final 10 minutes.

“He isn't up to match speed but when you look at what we have for attacking players in the squad, it was the choice to bring him and he agreed,” Tomasson added.

There was one alteration ahead of the game from the team Tomasson named for the FA Cup quarter final as Tyrhys Dolan came in for Brereton.

That meant Sorba Thomas had to do with a place on the bench for the first time since his January signing.

The Huddersfield Town loanee had been away with Wales during the international break, and Tomasson said that had contributed to the selection of Ryan Hedges, as had his display at Sheffield United.

“Sorba has been away and came back late and we had been working on things in training,” Tomasson explained.

“I think Ryan had a good game against Sheffield United as well.

“We have some great players on the side and they need to fight for their places and that competition is extremely important in those positions so that was more or less the reason.”

Adam Wharton was the extra outfield player to travel to Birmingham, but didn’t make the matchday squad.

Harry Leonard wasn’t involved for either the first-team or Under-21s, but did feature in a behind-closed-doors game yesterday along with the rest of the players who didn’t get any minutes at St Andrew’s.