OWEN Coyle has hailed the return to fitness of Corry Evans as ‘like a new signing’ after the Blackburn Rovers midfielder gave his manager another selection headache for this Saturday’s clash at QPR.

Evans was restricted to just 14 minutes of action in pre-season after returning from Euro 2016 with a niggling groin injury.

But the 26-year-old was allowed to join up with Northern Ireland for their opening World Cup qualifier against Czech Republic after he came through 45 minutes of a Rovers development squad match before the international break.

Evans did not make it off the bench in his country’s 0-0 draw in Prague but upon his return to Brockhall he played most of Tuesday’s behind-closed-doors friendly win over Accrington Stanley.

Coyle must now decide whether Evans and transfer deadline day addition Charlie Mulgrew are fit to take their place on the substitutes’ bench at least at Loftus Road.

But the Rovers boss is delighted to have a player he believes will play a key role back available.

Coyle, who could also hand debuts to new boys Marvin Emnes and Martin Samuelsen against QPR, said: “Corry had a very good Euros, he’s a very good player, and he’s one I’ve always admired, so to be honest him coming back is like getting a new signing.

“We’ve not had the good fortune of having him involved yet but he’s now played 45 minutes for the reserves, did great in that, then went away with Northern Ireland, and then played 70-75 minutes for us on Tuesday.

“He did very well (against Stanley), he looked a really good player, and along with Charlie and Marvin coming in, Corry is like a new player to us. I’m delighted with that.

“We’ll see how their (Evans and Mulgrew) legs have recovered from the game but they have stepped it up and, whether they’ll be in contention to be part of the squad, we’ll deliberate on it from there.

“But the sooner we get them up to speed the better because they are going to be very good players.”

Rovers midfield options are set to be further boosted after Elliott Bennett returned to training this week after being sidelined since the opening day of the season when he injured his hamstring in the loss to his former club Norwich City.