Owen Coyle: Darragh Lenihan has a bright future at the back for Blackburn Rovers

Injures to Elliott Ward, Wes Brown and Gordon Greer left the manager short of numbers for his rearguard.

When Greer succumbed to a knock he picked up on international duty against Ipswich, Lenihan was the man to replace him at half-time.

He looked solid alongside Tommie Hoban as he helped his side to their first clean sheet of the season, and they paired up again in the 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest three days later.

The Republic of Ireland Under-21 looked set to be replaced by the fit-again Greer last week against Wolves.

But injuries to summer signings Hoban and Derrick Williams meant his manager named the 22-year-old a centre-back once more.

And despite the fact Champions League winner Wes Brown is nearing full fitness, such have been Lenihan’s performances he could be set to keep his place.

Coyle said: “Darragh initially was a centre-back in my mind, when I looked at his qualities and his attributes.

“He had a centre midfield spell as well. But I always envisaged he’d play there because he sees the game in front of him, he’s aggressive, he’s a good passer of the ball and he’s tenacious in the air.

“He’s played very well, and that’s all credit to him, and it’s a message to all the players.

“It’s never just about 11 players on the field because that can change at any time.

“That’s why you’ve got to train hard when you’re on the bench, on the periphery of the team, because when that moment comes you’ve got to be able to go in there and shine.

“You look at Danny Guthrie - a perfect example. He was on the bench and got a chance, played really well and stayed in the team.”

Brown, who is on a season-long deal with the club, has been plagued by injuries since he arrived for pre-season training.

He was on his way back when he took a blow to his knee in a behind closed doors game and has only recently started training with the Rovers squad again.

“Wes has managed to train with the group this week but what he needs now, as he did before and that’s the frustrating thing, is just to get a couple of games under his belt,” said Coyle.

“He’s started to get back to the level he was at in training before.

“About four weeks ago he was probably ready to play in the team, but the boys who were in there did well and then Wes had a reaction to a bump on the knee.

“But he’s trained well this week and it will be good when he’s back in the squad.”