Blackburn Rovers Selection Dilemmas as Tony Mowbray Prepares for Portsmouth Clash

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

After an injury-hit spell that stripped his bench back to academy prospects, Mowbray can finally look to senior options again, with midfielder Moussa Baradji set to be involved at Fratton Park in Saturday’s Championship clash (15:00 BST) and defender Hayden Carter back in the frame after featuring in 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.

Baradji, in particular, has caught his eye.

“I'm excited by Moussa over how powerful and technical he is,” Mowbray said, underlining why the midfielder is pushing for minutes. “(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 is tempered by fresh problems elsewhere. Left-back Yuri Ribeiro misses the trip with a hamstring injury, a blow to a side that had just started to feel more settled.

“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 ongoing hip issue keeping him sidelined at a time when his experience would be invaluable.

“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,” the Rovers head coach said.

There is at least some stability on the right side of defence. Ryan Alebiosu, who was forced off at half-time in last weekend’s win over Millwall due to illness, has recovered and will be fit to face Portsmouth.

With Baradji pushing, Carter back in rhythm, Gudjohnsen staking a claim from the bench and Alebiosu available again, Mowbray finally has options to juggle. How bold he chooses to be with them at Fratton Park will say plenty about where he thinks this Blackburn side is heading.