Blackburn Rovers vs Derby County - Bennett returns from suspension

Posted Tuesday, February 28, 2017 by PA

Midfielder Elliott Bennett is back from suspension as new Blackburn boss Tony Mowbray prepares for his first home game in charge against Derby.

Hope Akpan is still ruled out as he serves the third of a four-match suspension while Corry Evans and Gordon Greer are both still rule dout.

Elliott Ward and Tommie Hoban are both closing in on first team returns but were instead due to be involved for the club's under-23 side in midweek.

Otherwise Mowbray has no new injury worries as he looks to build momentum following Saturday's battling 1-1 draw at Burton.

Derby captain Richard Keogh is a doubt ahead of the trip to Ewood Park.

The Republic of Ireland international was withdrawn with a calf injury early in the second half of the defeat at Aston Villa on Saturday, while fellow centre-half Jason Shackell missed the game due to a back problem and he will also be checked on.

The Rams, whose play-off hopes have faded on the back of their current five-match winless run, have a few other players nursing niggles following the weekend.

However, midfielder Bradley Johnson will be back in the squad on Tuesday night after he was absent against Villa due to personal reasons.