Jon Dahl Tomasson has revealed Niall Ennis has not picked up a new injury and his substitution at half-time was pre-planned.

The summer signing made his first Championship start of the season on Tuesday night against Bristol City. It's been a frustrating time for Ennis, who has struggled with various injury issues since arriving on a free transfer from Plymouth Argyle.

The forward was given his chance and lasted 45 minutes before he was taken off. That was not because of injury but because Tomasson wanted to ensure he did not try too much, too soon.

"No, he is not injured," Tomasson explained. "We all know he has been injured a lot, I feel sorry for the boy, at a new club.

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"Today was about giving him minutes, trying to get more players going because we need everyone, we are quite stretched.

"It was my idea, play 45 minutes, maybe 60 if you can manage it and I'll change you. I changed him at half-time because I didn't want to use a sub moment."

"I thought there were a couple of good runs in-behind, some turns and shooting," he added on his performance. "There was an offside situation, he needs to get more up to speed.

"It was his first start and I think he was happy to get that at this level in the Championship."

Scott Wharton was also withdrawn 10 minutes from time. Tomasson revealed that was due to fatigue rather than an injury and he should be fit to face Southampton on Saturday.

"Scott, he was tired at half-time, hopefully he is ok," he said. "We have to wait and see.

"I think we were on time, let's wait and see. I think he will be involved in the next game.

"It wasn't illness, just tiredness, I haven't been able to rotate much. Some players looked tired in the second half and even the first half. 

"You saw it at the end. But they were fighting at the end as they always do for Rovers. Sometimes the head wants something but the legs can't do it."