BLACKBURN Rovers boss Gary Bowyer has made his mind up on who will start in goal against Middlesbrough tomorrow.

But he will be keeping his lips sealed until the teams are announced one hour before kick-off.

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Rovers will be without Jason Steele at the Riverside Stadium as the rules of his season-long loan from Boro state he cannot face his parent club.

That means Bowyer must choose between Simon Eastwood, Jake Kean and Paul Robinson to start between the posts.

And he admits he already knows who that will be.

Bowyer said: “I think so, I think I’m there. It is a difficult call but I’m sure whoever we go with will give their utmost for the team.”

Eastwood would appear to be above Kean and Robinson in the pecking order having acted as Steele’s back-up on the bench for the past 11 matches.

But when asked whether that will lead to him being given his first start since January 18, Bowyer said: “I couldn’t possibly tell you that. Maximum points for effort but you’ve got no chance of finding out.”

Of the ever-improving Steele, who will also be ruled out of Boro’s trip to Ewood Park on December 28, Bowyer said: “Obviously the lad at that little blip at Rotherham United but he’s recovered and he’s got better with games.”

Steele told the Lancashire Telegraph earlier this week that he is backing Eastwood to fill his gloves tomorrow.

He said: “I think whoever plays in my place, whether it be Easty, what with him being on the bench, will do a good job.

“I’ve known and played against Easty since I was a kid and he’s a top, top keeper.”