OWEN Coyle says Blackburn Rovers will not change their attacking approach for today’s home game with Reading, despite being hit by unavailability in defence.
The Rovers boss included three strikers in his starting line-up against Brighton in midweek as his side fell to back-to-back 3-2 defeats.
Marvin Emnes partnered Danny Graham up front on Tuesday with Sam Gallagher switching to the left wing.
Coyle admits the experiment could have worked out better and has called on his side to improve defensively.
But he insists that won’t be at the expense of his side’s attacking ambition despite being without four senior central defenders for the visit of the Royals.
“Of course it could have worked better, but what it did show was that we are looking to be offensive and attack minded in terms of how we want to approach games,” Coyle said.
“Other teams might have a tendency to sit back and think about getting men behind the ball and nicking a goal, but we think our threat is certainly going forward.
“If we had our full capabilities with players available in defence it gives us a stronger look to the team, but even with those missing, we still feel we’re capable of winning the game.
“That was a Brighton side that had conceded 11 goals all season before Tuesday, and we could have had three or four.
“We know that we are a real goal threat and what we need to do is make sure that we’re not giving away those silly goals at the other end.”
Gordon Greer is suspended for the visit of Reading, joining the injured Elliott Ward, Tommie Hoban and Charlie Mulgrew on the sidelines, while midfielders Corry Evans and Danny Guthrie are also doubtful.
Wes Brown and Scott Wharton are vying for a spot in central defence alongside Darragh Lenihan, with Hope Akpan on standby should Evans not be passed fit.
Brown, aged 37, is yet to make his league debut for Rovers since arriving in September on a deal until the end of the season, but has played two Checkatrade Trophy games, as well as turning out for the under-23s.
The former Manchester United man has been nursing a knee injury and Coyle added: “What we’ve done with Wes over the last few weeks is that he’s been able to get some more training under his belt because he had a bit of fluid in his knee.
“Because it has been a new training regime in effect for him he’s not been able to play a game for a couple of weeks.
“We’re looking at it, there are a number of options that can rotate around so we will have a look at that.
“It’s an opportunity for whoever comes in to show they have the quality and we still feel we have a chance of winning this game.
“We will be ready to go.”
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