Blackburn Rovers Gear Up for Portsmouth Clash with Key Players Returning

Blackburn Rovers head to Fratton Park this weekend with something they have barely known in recent weeks: genuine selection decisions.

After an injury crisis that stripped the bench back to academy prospects, head coach Tony Mowbray can finally look beyond the bare minimum. Midfielder Moussa Baradji is set to be involved in Saturday’s Championship trip to Portsmouth, while defender Hayden Carter has already eased his way back into action with minutes in each of 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 relief in that line tells its own story of the past month.

Baradji, in particular, has caught his manager’s eye. “I'm excited by Moussa over how powerful and technical he is,” Mowbray said, underlining why the midfielder’s return could alter the dynamic of Rovers’ engine room. The competition does not stop there. (Andri) Gudjohnsen came off the bench to score last week and, according to Mowbray, “he's looking good and training well.”

The message is clear: for the first time in a while, places are up for grabs. “It's good we have choices which, it's fair to say, we haven't had over the past couple of weeks,” Mowbray admitted.

Not everyone is on the way back, though. Blackburn will travel without left-back Yuri Ribeiro, who has been ruled out with a hamstring injury. He will miss the Portsmouth clash and more beyond that. “Yuri is a no-go for a few weeks, I don't know the exact timings,” Mowbray said.

Midfielder Adam Forshaw remains another long-running concern. His hip problem continues to keep him out, with further medical checks on the horizon. “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 added, careful not to pin a date on the midfielder’s return.

There is better news on the opposite flank. 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.

With Baradji and Carter back in the mix, Gudjohnsen pushing from the bench and Alebiosu available again, Mowbray finally has something he has craved for weeks: options. How bold he chooses to be with them at Fratton Park will say plenty about Blackburn’s intent for the stretch ahead.