DANNY Graham is a ‘big doubt’ for Blackburn Rovers’ Championship encounter at home to Ipswich Town on Saturday.

But the expected loss of Graham will be tempered by the return of fellow forward Anthony Stokes.

Stokes has sat out the last seven matches with a knee ligament injury sustained in training on the eve of the 1-1 draw with QPR.

But he will come into contention for the visit of Mick McCarthy’s men after two run outs for the under-23s and after scoring in a behind-closed-doors friendly with Accrington Stanley on Tuesday.

Stokes is set to take the place of Graham who is struggling to shake off the groin injury he picked up against Birmingham City.

Marvin Emnes and Corry Evans also came off in the 1-0 defeat at St Andrew’s before the international break.

But both have made a full recovery with Evans playing 90 minutes for Northern Ireland in their 2-0 loss in Germany on Tuesday.

Another midfielder, Charlie Mulgrew, is also back in full training after a month on the sidelines with the calf injury he sustained on his Rovers debut.

But Saturday’s match is likely to come too soon for Mulgrew.

Gordon Greer, however, will be available after withdrawing from the Scotland squad with a groin problem.

But fellow defenders Adam Henley and Elliott Ward remain sidelined while Wes Brown took a knock in the 4-2 victory over Stanley.

Rovers boss Owen Coyle, who confirmed Craig Conway will captain Rovers on Saturday with skipper Jason Lowe suspended, said: “Marvin Emnes is fit and available, Corry Evans also, but Danny Graham is a big doubt. 

“He’s not trained with the group as of yet. We’ll give him until tomorrow to see what happens but at this moment in time I think he’s doubtful.

“But Anthony Stokes is now fit and available and he’ll certainly be in the squad for Saturday. 

“Anthony has shown a good attitude and hopefully he’s back in the fold now and ready to play his part and score goals for Blackburn Rovers.

“Charlie has now started training with the group. He’s trained with us this week and he’s done very well. 

“The difficulty is he’s not had those games under his belt. Saturday may come too soon for him but he’s certainly going in the right direction. 

“Gordon tweaked his groin last Friday before the Lithuania game. He pulled out of the squad and returned to Blackburn Rovers and he’s been with Dave Fevre and the team since. 

“We’ve sorted that out, he’s trained with us today, and he should be fit and available for Saturday, which is good news as well. 

“Wes Brown took a knock in the closed-door game the other day and we just wait on news of that.”