BLACKBURN Rovers midfielder Corry Evans will make his first return to Hull City on Saturday with praise ringing in his ears from his boss.

Gary Bowyer reckons Evans was his side’s standout player against Charlton Athletic and QPR last week.

And the Rovers manager was so taken with the Northern Ireland international’s tireless display in the win over Charlton that he wanted to ‘carry him off’ when he was withdrawn late on.

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Bowyer believes Evans is now back at the level of performance he was producing in his debut campaign at Ewood Park before an ankle ligament injury stopped him in his tracks.

“He’s been our best player in the last two games by a country mile,” said Bowyer, who signed Evans from Hull in August 2013.

“He was unbelievable on Saturday and I wanted to go on to the pitch and carry him off when we were bringing him off because his energy levels and how he played the game was phenomenal.

“When I brought him off I just said to him that he’s at the level he was playing at when we first brought him in, before he got that really bad injury when he was away with Northern Ireland.

“He’s hitting those heights again, for sure.”

Evans, who helped Hull win promotion from the Championship before making the move to Rovers, has formed a promising partnership with Danny Guthrie since the last international break.

And Bowyer said: “I think him and Danny Guthrie have showed in the last week what a hell of a partnership they could be.

“They are two fantastic footballers and we need to keep them both fit.”

Guthrie, 28, is enjoying playing alongside Evans, 25, who has not faced recently relegated Hull since being allowed to leave the KC Stadium by their boss Steve Bruce.

 “We’ve struck up a good partnership,” said Guthrie.

“We’re quite similar, we want to get on the ball and play, but first and foremost we want to compete and win that battle and the second balls.

“I felt we did that on Saturday (against Charlton) and it gave us the springboard to play.”

Bowyer’s midfield options will soon be boosted further by the return of Chris Taylor.

Taylor, who has been sidelined for the best part of six months with a groin injury, played and scored in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Tuesday.

And speaking afterwards he said: “I really enjoyed it and it was a relief really as it has been a long time.

“I’ve had a few setbacks along the way but I’m finally glad to be doing what I love doing and that is playing football.

“I felt a bit nervous before it to be honest, it’s been that long, but I’m glad it went well and I’m glad I got through it and I’m looking forward to playing another one now.”

Taylor will not be considered for selection against Hull on Saturday.

But he will play some part in Monday’s U21s Premier League Division Two clash against Brighton & Hove Albion at Ewood (7pm).

Rovers, meanwhile, have sold more than 620 tickets for the trip to Hull.

Supporters have until 4.30pm tomorrow to purchase tickets as there will be no sales at the ground on the day of the game.