WITH Ryan Nyambe set for a spell on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, Rovers reporter RICH SHARPE assesses the options available at right-back to Ewood boss Tony Mowbray.

PAUL CADDIS

THE Scot is the most like-for-like replacement in the Rovers squad and is an experienced campaigner with 318 senior appearances to his name.

Nineteen of those have come in a Rovers shirt, but only one as a starter in the league since October.

Mowbray likes the athleticism of Nyambe which allows Rovers to defend higher up the pitch.

Caddis proved a capable replacement during Nyambe’s early season injury troubles as Rovers began to kickstart their campaign, but that was with Rovers playing a different brand of football to now.

Rovers now focus on pace and power and Caddis offers different qualities.

His lack of match fitness could also be a concern for Mowbray.

LEWIS TRAVIS

While not of the same experience of Nyambe, Travis is the same age as the full back at 20.

The maturity of his performances for Rovers this season have far exceeded the relative lack of exposure he has had at first-team level, something Mowbray has pointed out.

A red card in the win at Portsmouth on February 13 saw him forced to serve a three match ban and he is yet to win his place back in the side.

And while many of his appearances to date have been as a central midfielder it is right-back where Travis has played much of his football.

He has been extensively used in a right-wing back role during impressive showings for Rovers Under-23s, though he missed the chance to stake a first team claim when Monday’s game with Newcastle United was postponed.

Travis’ two Checkatrade Trophy appearances for Rovers came at right-back and he would bring great energy and good use of the ball.

It would be a brave show of faith from Mowbray if Travis was handed a start at this vital stage of the season.

ELLIOTT BENNETT

THE versatile 29-year-old would could be a contender for any position on the pitch such is his adaptability.

He was the man Mowbray turned to when Nyambe was forced off against Blackpool and Bennett stuck to his task well.

He is a disciplined performer and would put his all in to the role and relish the new challenge in a seventh different position in the last 12 months.

Corry Evans’ encouraging display against Blackpool when coming off the bench could also see Mowbray more inclined to switch Bennett from central midfield.

With his attacking instincts, Rovers may well gain something in that respect, with Bennett likely to hold his width down the right-hand side.

THREE AT THE BACK

HAVING gone through the personnel options, there is also the possibility of a formation switch.

It is something that Rovers have done many times since the January arrival of Amari’i Bell while they also switched systems when Nyambe took a heavy knock in the win at Portsmouth.

Bennett reverted to right wing-back that night and also played there during the win at Bury on February 19. So the team which started that game could feature at Gillingham, with a back five of Bennett, Darragh Lenihan, Charlie Mulgrew, Derrick Williams and Bell.

That would allow Rovers to maintain a potent front three of Bradley Dack, Adam Armstrong and Danny Graham.

The man to miss out in that scenario would be Jack Payne but the threat of the aforementioned attacking trio, and the extra solidity another defender brings, will be one of the options running through Mowbray’s mind.