WHILE his Blackburn Rovers midfield colleagues may be more heralded, Corry Evans’ contribution does not go unnoticed either by his manager or his team-mates.

For the majority of the campaign Evans has been the shield for the back four as Tom Cairney, Craig Conway and Ben Marshall attempt to do what they do best and wreak havoc in the opposition half.

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The trio’s ability to take chances and create chances, for prolific strike-partners Jordan Rhodes and Rudy Gestede, has made Rovers one of the most potent forces in the division.

But that places a great deal of responsibility on Evans’ shoulders.

That responsibility was shared at Fulham on Saturday when the Northern Ireland international was partnered in the centre of the park by the more defensively-minded Lee Williamson.

Evans responded by producing what was described by Rovers boss Gary Bowyer as an ‘outstanding’ performance in the 1-0 win.

But with Bowyer having an array of attacking talent to choose from, there will come a time when the 24-year-old will again have to take on the role as main protector for the defence.

And it is a role which Matt Kilgallon says is vital.

Rovers centre back Kilgallon said: “The midfielders all have got goals in them and all got an eye for a pass as they’ve got good football brains that allow them to see the runs Jordan and Rudy make.

“It’s nice to have them but you need to have someone like Corry as well.

“You talk about clean sheets as a back four but you need that sitting midfielder as well.

“You can’t have every midfielder just flying off so that is Corry’s job to have a look around and help us out.

“The amount of balls he intercepts and makes it easier for us is a joke really.

“I don’t know if people see that but he does do a massive job for us and lets the rest of them go do what they do.”