BLACKBURN Rovers boss Owen Coyle is planning to give former Manchester United and England defender Wes Brown a run out in pre-season – as he tips Scott Wharton for a bright future.

Brown has joined up with Rovers following his release from Sunderland at the end of the 2015-16 campaign.

The 36-year-old was part of the party that headed to Austria last week for a training camp which culminated in a 1-0 victory over SV Ried on Saturday.

But Brown played no part in the Keine Sorgen Arena clash after tweaking his calf muscle in training.

The decorated 23-capped international, who won 18 major honours with United including seven Premier League and two Champions League titles, is now working his way back to fitness.

And Coyle, whose side take part in a three-team tournament at Morecambe this weekend, is determined to get Brown out on to the pitch.

As he has seen at close hand over the last fortnight what he could bring to Rovers – both on and off the field.

“Wes has come in and worked hard,” said Coyle who was also without in-demand captain Grant Hanley and midfielder Danny Guthrie against SV Ried.

“He tweaked his calf a little bit so there was no point in taking a chance with him on Saturday.

“But he’s back on the road now and we’ll just have to build it up and build his fitness levels up.

“I’ve got to say he’s been an absolute credit to himself. He’s been brilliant around the training ground.

“He’s such a humble man for what he’s achieved and what an outstanding career he’s had.

“When he’s been involved he’s shown he’s more than capable. So it’s an ongoing one.

“We’re continuing him getting back to full fitness and then we’ll look to involve him in some games.

“That was the intention, for him to go to Austria to play, but unfortunately, like the skipper and like Danny, that didn’t pan out.

“But he’s certainly enjoying what we do and we’re enjoying having him.”

With Brown and Hanley unavailable for selection, and with Shane Duffy on a break after his participation at Euro 2016, that left Coyle with just one senior centre-back against SV Ried in Elliott Ward.

But it did give last season’s Academy and Under-21 captain Scott Wharton the chance to impress.

And the 18-year-old from Blackburn, who was the only Rovers player to play the full match, did just that.

Coyle said: “Scotty got his chance and he looked comfortable.

“He’s a young kid who’s got to keep listening and learning but he has the appetite to do that, which I like.

“He’s a very honest lad who has worked his socks off in pre-season. As a matter of fact I recall coming in, when I first came on board, a few weeks before the start of pre-season, and the kid was already there because he wanted to make sure he was fit to impress the new manager.

“And, fair play, I love that attitude, and he’s been rewarded.

“What he’s got to do now is keep listening and learning. He’s not the finished article yet but he’s certainly on the right road to being a good player.”