Tony Mowbray says he has ‘no problems’ with Charlie Mulgrew being called up to the Scotland squad despite not playing for Rovers in two-and-a-half weeks.

The Rovers boss has discussed the call-up with the Rovers skipper who is keen to join up with Alex McLeish’s squad this weekend.

Mulgrew hasn’t played for Rovers since the 1-1 draw with Aston Villa on September 15, missing the last four matches through illness and then a calf problem.

That is the only football the 32-year-old has played since twice turning out for his country last month in defeat to Belgium and victory over Albania.

The central defender could return to the Rovers side for tonight’s visit of Sheffield United, with the final game before the international break coming at Bolton Wanderers on Saturday.

When asked about Mulgrew’s call-up, Mowbray told the Lancashire Telegraph: “I have discussed it with Charlie and he’s said that if he’s fit he wants to go and represent his country.

“I have no problems with that.

“He hasn’t kicked a ball for us for a good couple of weeks, we’ll see what involvement he has in the next two games and hopefully he stays fit in those two games and goes away with international team.

“He knows my thoughts on it. I would never ask him to take it easy because he’s playing for his country but be mindful of that this is his bread and butter, where he earns his living, and we have genuine competition in that area given the emergence of Amari’i Bell and Derrick Williams we know how adept he is at playing central defence.

“We send Charlie with Scotland with our blessing and hope that he does very, very well.”

Mulgrew has 38 caps for his country following his debut in 2012.

He is in to the final year of his deal at Ewood Park but has been a key fixture in the team since arriving on a free transfer in the summer of 2016.

Scotland travel to Israel for a Nations League qualifier on Thursday, October 11 before hosting Portugal in a friendly three days later.

Rovers return to action after the international break with a home fixture with Leeds United on October 20, the first of three games within a week.

Mowbray did raise the point of former Rovers midfielder Tom Cairney, now at Fulham, not being called up to the squad having played just 20 minutes of club football on his return to injury.

But Mowbray added: “Charlie is aware that at some stage over the next few years, or whatever it is, he will have to focus on his club football and his earning power.

“At this moment I’m more than happy for him to go away with Scotland and try and help them develop as a nation to at some stage get in to a European Championships which would be the next tournament for them.

“Charlie is happy and content to help them try and do that so I’m happy for him to go.”