Jon Dahl Tomasson has confirmed Aynsley Pears will start in goal for Blackburn Rovers against Huddersfield Town.

The Rovers number one hasn't played for the first team since October 1 when he was forced off against Leicester City. That injury was initially diagnosed as a one-month absence but his recovery has taken far longer.

After playing in two Under-21s matches and getting an additional 45 minutes in a behind-closed-doors friendly this week, Tomasson has decided Pears is ready to return.

It is the first time the head coach has changed his goalkeeper voluntarily. Pears first got his opportunity after Thomas Kaminski was injured and he then kept the gloves until the end of the season. 

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"We don't have Ryan Hedges, Sam Barnes and Tyrhys Dolan, he is getting closer to being involved again," Tomasson said.

"John Buckey is still out. Before West Brom, we lost Sam Szmodics and Harry Pickering just before the game. Both players have been involved in training and the game in midweek against the Brazilian team which is positive.

"Aynsley Pears got more minutes, I've spoken with Ben Benson and the medical department and he is ready now. He will start in goal on Saturday.

"For Leo (Wahlstedt), he's a player with potential. He has played a lot of games and perhaps more than we expected. He will learn from this period and I think it's good that Pears is back.

"We all know that Leo has a lot of potential and he is a young boy. I think he will have learned a lot from this situation and he's probably played more games than we expected because of the injury to Pears.

"He can take a lot of experience with him for the future which is important."

Joe Rankin-Costello and Sam Gallagher also got another 45 minutes under their belt in midweek and Tomasson did not rule out the possibility of them starting at Ewood Park.

The head coach reiterated that neither player is fully up to speed but he is keen to get them as much game time as possible.

"When a player has been out for four months or even seven, eight weeks, they are not up to speed," he said.

"That is why it was great we played the game in midweek. Every player got 45 minutes, it wasn't the same intensity as the Championship but it was great for them to build on their fitness.

"If you look at those players, we know they're not 100 per cent. Can they help the team? Yes. I brought them on at West Brom to get them up to speed quicker.

"We are working hard and so are they to get them ready to help the team."