BLACKBURN Rovers boss Gary Bowyer has confirmed that Rudy Gestede will not feature in today’s friendly at Oldham Athletic because of a knee injury.

Gestede has been heavily linked with a move away from Rovers this summer and is yet to make a public appearance in pre-season.

But he scored twice in a behind closed doors game against Crewe on Tuesday and had been earmarked to feature in one of Rovers’ friendlies against Tranmere Rovers and Oldham.

Rovers went into last night’s 2-0 win over Tranmere with a largely youthful line-up, however, because of a number of injuries.

With Jordan Rhodes (ankle) and Chris Brown (knee) still sidelined, and Fode Koita still building up fitness after signing for Rovers this week, Bowyer could be left without a recognised striker against Oldham after confirming that Gestede was among those who will not feature.

“They’re just knocks and bumps with one or two that are not worth risking this weekend,” he said.

“Darragh Lenihan just felt his back a little bit and Rudy’s just got a knock on his knee from training so he won’t play.

“There’s Jordan, Chris Brown’s knee is still not good but we hope he will be back out running on Monday, Chris Taylor’s groin hasn’t recovered from the summer when he was out injured and Corry Evans just felt a little bit of a knock on his thigh so he’s another one we’re not going to risk in the two games.”