LOAN star Doneil Henry has not ruled out extending his stay at Blackburn Rovers.

But the big defender may have to wait a little longer to make the first start of his second spell with Rovers.

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Henry came on for Grant Hanley three minutes from the end of normal time in last Saturday’s 2-2 home draw with Sheffield Wednesday.

Rovers captain Hanley had to be helped from the field after he took a nasty knock to his knee and he has not been able to train since.

But it is hoped the Scotland international will join in with his team-mates tomorrow in order to give him every chance of being fit for this Saturday’s trip to Bristol City.

Henry was thrust straight into the starting line-up during his loan from West Ham United last season after Hanley and Shane Duffy were sidelined.

With the duo fit again and in fine form, the Canada international accepts he is going to have to be patient this time around.

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But the 22-year-old is determined to keep Rovers’ first-choice centre-backs on their toes.

“The guys have done really well but my role in this team is to come in and make their job harder,” said Henry.

“That is no disrespect to the guys because they’re both great players.

“But my role is that when anything happens I can come in and play right away.

“But until then I’m just going to worry about myself and make sure I’m doing the right things to put myself in good positions.”

New Rovers boss Paul Lambert has identified the need for extra height in his squad and the need for cover for Adam Henley at right-back.

That is a position Henry has operated in for his country and he said: “Naturally I’m a centre-half but I can get the job done at right-back if the manager needs me to.

“Wherever he wants me to play I’ll do the job but until then I’ll just make sure I’m working hard so when it comes, I’ll be ready.”

Henry’s latest loan from West Ham runs out on January 3.

But with his chances at his Premier League parent club limited, he says it would be ‘smart’ to stay at Rovers if he is getting the games he craves.

“If I’m getting games and if I’m doing well here, and if the manager back home wants me to stay longer, it would be smart,” said Henry, who is now fully fit after recovering from the serious hamstring injury that cut short his first stint at Ewood Park.

“For me to get back into the team at West Ham right now wouldn’t be ideal because the players who are playing in that position are good, solid players who have experience. I don’t have Prem experience.

“For now I’m young, and playing in the Championship is a great league, and playing with the guys here will up my game, and playing at this level is a great achievement already.

“I’m just hungry to continue to make progress as a young footballer.”