GARY Bowyer believes strapping striker Chris Brown is the ‘bully’ his Blackburn Rovers forward line has been missing.

Rovers boss Bowyer has been delighted by the performances the 6ft 3in frontman has produced since taking the place of injured top-scorer Rudy Gestede.

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With Gestede now fully fit and raring to go Bowyer admits he has a tough choice to make for tonight’s home clash with Rotherham United.

But Brown, who is waiting to score to his first Rovers goal after an injury hit first six months at the club, will go into the game with praise ringing in his ears.

Bowyer said: “Browny has been magnificent. We fought very hard to get him because we knew he would bring an extra dimension to the team.

“His workrate is phenomenal, he’s been running past some of our midfielders to put in tackles, his link-up play has been excellent and I’d challenge followers of Blackburn Rovers to come back to me with the last time we had a bully of a centre-forward.

“That’s what he’s done in the last couple of games. It’s been a pleasant surprise to see the referee talking to our centre-forward about upsetting their centre-halves.

“He doesn’t give them a second’s rest, he doesn’t make it easy for them and, if you ask any of our lads about the value he has brought to the team, then the appreciation they have for him is massive.

“He just needs a goal to take him on another level again but he’s getting the half-chances and chances.

“We’re delighted with him and he’s only going to get better and better with the more games he plays.”

Brown, who arrived on a free transfer from Doncaster in the summer, linked up well with Jordan Rhodes in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Watford and in the 2-1 home win over Fulham.

Now Bowyer must decide whether to keep the burgeoning partnership going or bring back the fit-again Gestede and Josh King.

“It’s a brilliant selection headache,” said Bowyer.

“We had the luxury of taking Browny off on Saturday and just when their centre-halves thought they were going to have an easier time we brought Rudy on.

“The competition is great up there because we’ve got Josh King, Luke Varney and David Dunn too.

“We got options so now it’s about being ruthless in the box and taking our chances.”

Dunn, who has been sidelined since hurting his calf in the FA Cup win over Swansea City, remains Bowyer’s sole absentee.

Defender Shane Duffy returned to training yesterday after being given time off due to a family bereavement.

But he will play no part in tonight’s match.