Bradley Dack is set to return to the Rovers squad for the first time in a month after overcoming a knee injury.

Dack hasn’t played since being forced off in the second half of the win at Hull City on August 18 where he netted the winner in a 1-0 victory.

The 24-year-old wasn’t risked for the final game before the international break, a 4-1 defeat at Bristol City on September 2, but has trained in the build-up to the visit of Aston Villa on Saturday.

Dack’s return is a big boost to Tony Mowbray who has also seen his international players come back in good health.

And they join a squad boosted by the return to fitness of Derrick Williams who has overcome a foot problem which ruled him out since the opening day.

The boss said: “Dominic Samuel are Ben Gladwin (both knee) are longer-term injuries, short-term Jacob Davenport picked up a knock in training this week but won’t be long.

“Apart from that, everyone else has been training and will be fit and available for the weekend.

“Bradley is looking sharp in training and looking like Bradley in his best, a lad who’s infectious, likes contacts, rolls players, scores lots of goals and is enjoying it and it’s good to hear his laugh back on the training ground.”

Rovers have been without a game since the defeat at Bristol City due to the international break.

Although being without three first-team players because of their respective international commitments, Mowbray admits the break has been positive.

“We did lots of scenario football, different parts of a game, the first and last 10 minutes, playing with 10 men, scenario football,” he added.

“Charlie Mulgrew, Corry Evans and Ben Brereton have been away on international duty so you’re working without those players but generally it’s been a good couple of weeks for us.

“We’re looking forward to getting back to it and the challenge on paper of what looks to be a tough four or five weeks but one that we should be excited about, and looking forward to the challenge against some big reputation clubs.”