Blackburn Rovers will be boosted on the injury front as they gear up for another hectic run with six games in 20 days.
Jon Dahl Tomasson's side return to action with home matches against Cardiff City and Swansea City, with a Tuesday night trip to Millwall sandwiched between their Welsh doubleheader.
They then go to Stamford Bridge in what could be a memorable night in the Carabao Cup, before signing off against Norwich City and Preston North End ahead of the final international break in 2023.
Tomasson's side played seven games in three weeks prior to this two-week juncture, stretching the squad with injuries biting them. Sam Gallagher and Ryan Hedges fell foul to long-term injuries, with Adam Wharton, Aynsley Pears and Harry Leonard also joining Niall Ennis on the sidelines.
READ MORE: Niall Ennis opens up Blackburn Rovers injury nightmare
Fortunately for Rovers, they will have a couple of extra bodies back after the international break and in the right areas too. Ennis and Leonard both played for the Under-21s on Wednesday, with the former scoring twice in an hour against Accrington Stanley.
Leonard got the final 30 minutes whilst Wharton played the first half. All three players are expected to be available for contention this weekend.
Rovers have been light for options down the middle since Gallagher's unfortunate injury. Leonard was doing a good job leading the line before falling victim himself. With Semir Telalovic still getting up to speed, Tomasson opted for Sam Szmodics and Tyrhys Dolan as less conventional options to spearhead his attack.
Whilst the former is undoubtedly better suited in a more withdrawn role, Dolan impressed against Queens Park Rangers, scoring his first of the season. With more recognised strikers now available, Tomasson has selection dilemmas on his hands.
Arnor Sigurdsson was away with Iceland but has seemingly come back unscathed, much to everyone's relief. He's been a revelation since coming back into the fold in the last month.
Andrew Moran did pick up a knock away with the Republic of Ireland's Under-21s which Tomasson will assess before Saturday. Otherwise, it's the same attacking options, with two more added in.
With Sigurdsson, Szmodics and Dolan seemingly locked in across the forward line, there is one starting berth up for grabs. Dilan Markanday enjoyed his best run in the team with four successive starts before the break.
Callum Brittain impressed in a more advanced role in the second half too. He's in such good form that you can't really leave him out and given how well James Hill performed, he might be the front-runner to play on the right. Dolan could also play there if Tomasson wants a more fixed focal point.
In midfield, Wharton's return poses a dilemma. Joe Rankin-Costello was excellent against QPR in midfield and Sondre Tronstad deputised well. Captain Lewis Travis has had a good season despite being on the bench at Coventry and QPR.
Is a midfield of Wharton, Rankin-Costello and Szmodics too attacking? Perhaps but that's never seemed to face the Rovers head coach. Or if Tronstad stays in, could Wharton play higher? Or do you stick with a winning team?
It would not be a surprise if Tomasson sticks with the same midfield dynamic that performed so well at Loftus Road. Wharton has started nine of Rovers' 11 games this season but, as we've seen at full-back, he now has to win the shirt back.
The right and left-back is the other decision for Tomasson. Hill's performance would make it harsh to leave him out. If Brittain isn't on the wing, he could play on either side of the defence. The same for Rankin-Costello if he comes out of midfield, though Harry Pickering did well at QPR.
All of these selection dilemmas are at least positives ahead of a busy run. The squad is thickening up again with players returning and rotation is a must with games coming thick and fast.
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