OWEN Coyle says there is now a real competition to even make the matchday squad at Blackburn Rovers after Anthony Stokes sat out last weekend’s draw with Huddersfield Town.

The Irish striker was left out of the 18-man group, despite being fit and available, with Coyle opting for three changes on the bench from the win at Newcastle with returns for Gordon Greer, Danny Guthrie and Jack Byrne.

Coyle admits there is just as much thinking going in to who makes the bench as there is his starting line-up.

Stokes has started just two games for Rovers this season and has played only 10 minutes for the first-team since August.

But the manager insists the competition within his squad, helped by players returning to injury, can only be beneficial, as he also reported 28-year-old Stokes has impressed in training this week.

“That’s how it’s got to be,” Coyle said. “Ultimately when you pick your 11 you have to look at your options and what you need on the bench.

“Wes (Brown) has trained well this week and Stokes has too, so that gives you options whether it’s in the 11 or the 18.

“We want to build a fit and healthy squad here so there is a real competition for places throughout.”

The manager, who gave a first Championship start to Ryan Nyambe against Huddersfield, revealed he almost handed a place on the bench to another of the club’s youngsters.

He added: “Young Conor Mahoney only just missed out on the matchday 18 so we’re starting to build a squad that, as we have shown, can be competitive, move us forward and continue to do better.”