Blackburn Rovers' Bench Options Improving Ahead of Portsmouth Clash

Blackburn’s bench is finally starting to look like a bench again, not an academy roll call.

After weeks of patching together line-ups through an injury storm, head coach Tony Mowbray heads to Portsmouth on Saturday talking about something he has barely had lately: options.

Midfielder Moussa Baradji is set to be involved at Fratton Park in the Championship clash (15:00 BST), while defender Hayden Carter has already eased his way back with minutes in each of the past two games.

“Hayden and Moussa are back in the picture so it's good to have a few more choices off the bench rather than the academy kids,” Mowbray told BBC Radio Lancashire, a hint of relief in the admission.

Baradji, in particular, has caught his eye.

“I'm excited by Moussa over how powerful and technical he is,” Mowbray said. The Rovers boss also pointed to the impact of Andri Gudjohnsen, who came off the bench to score last week and has been backing that up on the training pitch. “(Andri) Gudjohnsen came off the bench and scored a goal last week so he's looking good and training well.

“It's good we have choices which, it's fair to say, we haven't had over the past couple of weeks.”

The good news, though, is tempered by fresh problems elsewhere.

Blackburn will travel without left-back Yuri Ribeiro, ruled out by a hamstring injury. It is not a short-term issue.

“Yuri is a no-go for a few weeks, I don't know the exact timings,” Mowbray admitted.

In midfield, Adam Forshaw remains out, his hip problem still unresolved and his return date no clearer.

“Forshaw is still an issue with his hip and has a consultation coming up so he won't be available in the short term but I don't want to speculate,” Mowbray said.

One key piece of the defensive puzzle is available again. Right-back Ryan Alebiosu, who was forced off at half-time during last weekend’s win over Millwall because of illness, has recovered and will be fit to face Portsmouth.

So Blackburn arrive on the south coast still patched up in places, but with something they have badly missed in recent weeks: genuine decisions to make when Mowbray turns to his bench.