Blackburn Rovers vs Sheffield Wed. - Anthony Stokes closing in on Rovers return but Wednesday game comes too soon

Posted Tuesday, September 27, 2016 by PA

Blackburn striker Anthony Stokes is edging closer to a return to first-team action but is unlikely to feature in the home game against Sheffield Wednesday.

Summer signing Stokes, who has missed the last five games due to a knee injury, is scheduled to play for the reserves on Monday.

Wes Brown is hoping to make his debut following his arrival as a free agent last week but may have to settle for a place on the bench again.

Charlie Mulgrew (calf), Elliott Ward (ankle), Adam Henley and Scott Wharton (both hamstring) remain sidelined.

Sheffield Wednesday quartet Barry Bannan, Daniel Pudil, David Jones and Lucas Joao all face late fitness tests.

Bannan sustained a foot injury in Saturday's home win against Nottingham Forest, fellow midfielder Jones (knee) and defender Pudil (thigh) have both missed the last two games and striker Joao (groin) has not featured since the end of last month.

Head coach Carlos Carvalhal expects defender Tom Lees to shake off the knock which forced him off at the weekend, while goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith will be out for several weeks due to a dislocated finger.

Defenders Liam Palmer and Glenn Loovens, plus midfielder Almen Abdi are all pushing for recalls after dropping to the bench against Forest.