Blackburn Rovers Selection Dilemmas Ahead of Portsmouth Clash

Blackburn Rovers head coach Tony Mowbray will travel to Portsmouth with something he has barely had in weeks: genuine selection dilemmas.

After an injury crisis that stripped his bench back to academy prospects, Mowbray can finally look to senior options again. Midfielder Moussa Baradji is in line to feature in Saturday’s Championship clash at Fratton Park, while defender Hayden Carter has already eased his way back with minutes in the last 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.

The tone around Baradji is more than just relief. It’s excitement.

“I'm excited by Moussa over how powerful and technical he is,” Mowbray said, underlining the midfielder’s blend of physical presence and quality on the ball.

The competition for places has been sharpened by recent impact off the bench. Andri Gudjohnsen came on and scored in last weekend’s win over Millwall, forcing his way into the conversation with form as well as promise.

“Gudjohnsen came off the bench and scored a goal last week so he's looking good and training well,” Mowbray added. “It's good we have choices which, it's fair to say, we haven't had over the past couple of weeks.”

Not everything is clearing up, though. On the left, Blackburn will be without Yuri Ribeiro at Portsmouth after the full-back picked up a hamstring injury that rules him out for several weeks.

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

In midfield, Adam Forshaw remains a longer-term concern. His hip problem continues to keep him out, with medical checks still to come and no immediate return in sight.

“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,” said the Rovers boss.

There is better news on the opposite flank. Right-back Ryan Alebiosu, who was forced off at half-time against Millwall because of illness, has recovered and will be fit to face Portsmouth.

From patched-up line-ups and kids filling the bench to genuine battles for places, Blackburn’s options are finally starting to thicken just as the autumn schedule begins to bite.