Blackburn Rovers fitness latest and Todd Cantwell update

Both players came off with issues against Blackpool. Pickering had a back spasm whilst Batth had an unspecified muscle complaint.

Whilst John Eustace did not categorically state they’d be available, the noises suggest that one, if not both, will be returning to the matchday squad.

“They’re close, yeah, we’ve had them on the grass,” Eustace said.

“They’ve been around the group in the last few days. They will certainly be close, whether they are ready for Saturday, I’m not quite sure.

“Everyone else came back (from internationals) fit and ready which is a massive positive. Whenever any player leaves to go away on an international break you want them back fit.

“It’s about competition for places and that is what we want. It’s important that whoever is playing keeps their shirt, nobody has a divine right to be in the team.

“I’ve said that to the group, if you’re playing, you keep your shirt and that’s how it works.”

Todd Cantwell could make his Rovers debut this weekend, something that is highly anticipated amongst supporters after he signed from Rangers on transfer deadline day.

The mercurial midfielder is not ready to play from the start yet, having missed pre-season in Scotland. Eustace is adamant that he, or any other new arrival, won’t be rushed into an unbeaten side.

“The players have got to be fit as well. We’ve signed a few players that aren’t match fit, we have to look after them, we can’t force them into the team straight away,” he said.

“Todd isn’t ready to start. He’s not had a pre-season, he is behind a lot of the lads. He’s shown glimpses in training that he’s getting fitter and we have to manage him properly.

“We will do that over the next two or three weeks. He could be involved (from the bench), we’ll have to wait and see.

“I went to watch Amario (Cozier-Dubbery) the other night, he got 25 minutes at Stockport which was good. He’s a young player doing well and so we’re happy to have them back involved.

“We haven’t really seen the big man (Toth) train yet. He’s been away on international duty and working hard there. He’s been back in the building today and there’s competition for places.”