BLACKBURN Rovers’ players have pleaded with boss Gary Bowyer not to rest them for tomorrow’s FA Cup replay at Manchester City.

Bowyer could be tempted to freshen up his side as the third-round replay comes less than 72 hours before Saturday’s crucial Championship clash at promotion rivals Nottingham Forest, having rested top-scorer Jordan Rhodes for the initial tie 10 days ago.

But every fit and available member of the Rovers squad have made it clear to their manager that they are desperate to play in the showdown with City.

Bowyer said: “If you go into our dressing now and say who wants a rest for Wednesday you will not get any takers because they all want to play in the match.

“And if you say can you play Wednesday and Saturday, every one of them will reply yes as that’s what they’re here to do.”

The win over Doncaster at the weekend hauled Rovers up to eighth and ensured they remain just two points off the play-off places going into the clash with fifth-placed Forest.

Bowyer admits the trip to his former club Forest is more important than tomorrow’s Etihad Stadium encounter with FA Cup favourites City.

But he has rejected the idea that the ITV-televised cup tie is a distraction.

“People have been asking me if it’s a game we can do without,” said Bowyer, whose side set up the replay by holding City to a 1-1 draw at Ewood Park.

“The answer is no because it’s an opportunity for our lads to play against their world-class players again and test themselves in their own back garden.

“It’s a great game for us and only after it will we focus on Nottingham Forest.”

Winger Josh King is expected to return for Rovers after he missed the 1-0 victory over Doncaster with a minor hamstring injury.