Blackburn Rovers v Bristol City team news as 9 out and 2 doubts

Blackburn Rovers team news

Danny Batth and Harry Pickering are in line to make a return from injury this weekend. Both players came off against Blackburn Rovers with Pickering having a back spasm, and Batth had a muscle compliant. Both of them are back 'on the grass' and it's likely according to the Lancashire Telegraph that one or the other should feature. 

Todd Cantwell is in contention to make his debut having joined from Rangers, but is unlikely to start. He wasn't afforded much of a pre-season up in Scotland, and so he could be introduced to the Ewood Park faithful from the bench. 

Makhtar Gueye is suspended after picking up two yellow cards against Burnley. Harry Leonard and Zak Gilesnan are both out. Leonard suffered a dislocated shoulder at the start of pre-season whilst Gilesnan has a muscle problem. 

Scott Wharton underwent surgery on a serious knee injury in May and will be out for a minimum of nine months, which will force him to miss most of this season. Callum Brittain suffered a knock before the international break but should be in contention. 

Out: Wharton, Gueye, Leonard, Gilesnan. Doubt: Danny Batth, and Harry Pickering.

Bristol City team news

Rob Atkinson made a massive step towards a first-team return after appearing for the under-21s in the week. He suffered an ACL injury in February 2023, and then as he tried to make a return, he was dealt a blow, but now a return is in sight. 

He is now back and available for selection after coming an injury in pre-season, but Liam Manning is being cautious in his approach. 

“He’s now in contention,” Manning said to BBC Radio Bristol in his pre-match press conference. 

“It’s one of those where he’s in a position to compete to get into the team but at the same time you have to be mindful of what the past 18 months have looked like in terms of the sheer volume of training, the volume of match minutes.”

Luke McNally could make his debut after joining on deadline day from Burnley. McNally was signed for £1.75m, and was among the substitutes against Derby County, but didn’t come on. 

George Earthy suffered an ankle injury against Coventry City and missed the trip to Derby. He was described as a big doubt prior to that match, and will also miss out against Blackburn.

Rob Dickie is unavailable for selection after suffering a hamstring injury. He came off against Coventry City, and his injury was revealed to be a serious tear of a muscle. Ayman Benarous is a long-term absentee and suffered a setback in his bid to return after more than two years out. A hamstring injury whilst playing for the under-21s has put him back on the sidelines. 

Sam Bell and Ross McCrorie are both expected to be out too. He suffered an injury against Coventry City in the Carabao Cup last month, and that's forced him to miss the last three games. McCrorie is contending with a hamstring problem and is going to be out for a 'little while' by his manager's admission. 

Out: Ayman Benarous, Ross McCrorie, Sam Bell, Rob Dickie, and George Earthy. Doubt: Rob Atkinson.