Tony Mowbray resisted the temptation to throw Hayden Carter in for his Rovers debut against Swansea and admits central defence is one of the most difficult positions to blood a youngster.
Ryan Nyambe got the nod at centre half, replacing the suspended Darragh Lenihan who will also be unavailable for this weekend’s trip to Derby County.
Rovers have a clutch of young central defenders at the club, as well as Scott Wharton and Matty Platt out on loan, but 20-year-old Carter was in the matchday squad for away matches at Charlton and Brentford with Tyler Magloire, who made two Championship starts last season, currently injured.
Instead Mowbray opted to move Nyambe, with Elliott Bennett earning a recall at right back, as Derrick Williams remains sidelined with a calf problem and Charlie Mulgrew’s prospects of making a first appearance since the opening day appear slim.
Mowbray says blooding young defenders always comes as a risk, hence his decision to go with Nyambe.
He said: “You have to be really careful when promoting central defenders too soon because it’s like goalies, you throw them in, they make one mistake and it can shatter them for weeks and weeks and even months.
“You have to be careful because they’re playing in such crucial positions.
“They’re playing in a position of responsibility and it’s really difficult to throw a really young centre half in unless he’s really top notch and you have to have every confidence in him.”
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