Jon Dahl Tomasson believes Yasin Ayari will offer Blackburn Rovers versatility in midfield after signing on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion.

The midfielder became Rovers' first signing of the January transfer window after his deal at Coventry City was cut short.

Ayari could make his debut in their FA Cup tie against Cambridge United on Saturday. Tomasson confirmed he will be on the bench against the League One in the third-round fixture.

Tomasson is pleased to have him on board and believes he will suit Rovers' style of play after a hit-and-miss loan with the Sky Blues.

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"He was on loan at Coventry, he started games and got minutes for them," Tomasson told The Lancashire Telegraph.

"I'm sure he will suit our style of play better than at Coventry, with no disrespect to them at all. He's a ball player, he plays with few touches and he can use both feet.

"He is a young boy. I think he can play in every position in the midfield, number six, eight or ten, with the way we play."

Ayari and James Hill will both be on the bench with Rovers set to make several changes for the game.

Leopold Wahlstedt will be in goal with Callum Brittain and Harry Pickering likely to be the full-backs with new addition Ben Chrisene not signed in time to feature.

Hayden Carter and Dom Hyam will be at centre-back with Scott Wharton still injured, though Patrick Gamble is also in contention.

Adam Wharton, Jake Garrett and Andrew Moran could be the midfield three. Sondre Tronstad started all four games over the festive period and could be rested.

Dilan Markanday will be on the right with Harry Leonard set to lead the line after a spell on the bench. Zak Gilsenan could make up the attack on the left-hand side.

Blackburn Rovers predicted team: Wahlstedt; Brittain, Carter, Hyam, Pickering; Wharton, Garrett, Moran; Markanday, Gilsenan, Leonard.