GARY Bowyer has hailed Jason Lowe as Blackburn Rovers’ unsung hero as he heads into today’s Boxing Day derby at Bolton uncertain of whether the versatile midfielder will be available.

Lowe made his first start since the end of August in the 2-0 win over Charlton, but he was forced off four minutes after the break suffering pain in the foot he fractured in pre-season.

He will be given time to prove his fitness for the clash at the Macron Stadium, where Rovers will be backed by 4,500 travelling fans.

Bowyer was full of praise for the work rate of Lowe and said he epitomises the young team that he has now created at Ewood Park.

Of the side who started last week’s success over Charlton Alex Baptiste was the oldest player at 28, with the other 10 all 26 or under, and Bowyer insisted the club should take pride in the way they have changed the face of the side since he took over.

“If he (Lowe) doesn’t make it, it would be a blow,” said the Rovers boss.

“He’s an unsung hero, he doesn’t get the credit he deserves because of his energy and his work rate, and I thought he gave us a little bit more intensity in our pressing game.

“He’s first in, he’s last out and you have to drag him off the training pitch. He epitomises what this group is because they are all like that, they love coming to work.”

Bowyer believes the experience his young tyros are picking up by playing regularly in the Championship can only help them get better.

Rovers might be under a transfer embargo during January, which will severely restrict the business they can do, but the manager sees plenty of positives around the club.

Bowyer said: “There was a lot of negativity last week about the embargo but if you look at what we’ve done the future of the club, in terms of the investment we’ve made and the ages of these players, is good.

“I’m seeing them linked with Premier League clubs and rightly so, it’s a sense of pride that we’ve changed around the quality and the size of the squad and the calibre of it.

“These lads are getting Championship games. We’re going to Bolton who will be an experienced team and we’re doing that with this bunch, they are gaining unbelievable experience at such a young age. They’re going to be massive, valuable assets for this football club.”

Despite the embargo, and the £42.1million loss the club posted in their annual accounts released last week, Bowyer insists he will be doing his best to avoid selling his star names.

He rates his young stars highly, and believes Premier League scouts should be regular visitors to Ewood Park, but he is determined to keep the core of his side together as they target a top six finish come May.

“If you’re a Premier League club you’re not doing your job if you’re not watching our lads, it’s as simple as that,” said the Blackburn Rovers boss.

“That’s not selling them, that’s not putting them out on the market, it’s fact. If you’re a sensible Premier League club you would be looking at some of our players.

“They’re on contracts and we’re not going to sell them. We have to make sure they keep developing and keep getting better because that’s what we’re about.

“We want to keep the core group together and build on it. We had to draw a line in the sand when we took over. The plan all along was to invest in youth and invest in the future and build for the future. We’ve got a lot to be optimistic about it and we should be proud of what we’ve done so far, but we’re not finished and we’ve got a long way to go.”