The signing of Taylor Harwood-Bellis will allow Daniel Ayala to be eased back to fitness, according to Tony Mowbray.

Ayala has played just nine times since his arrival as a free transfer last summer and not since limping off at Huddersfield Town on December 29. It is the second injury absence of the season for the Spaniard who arrived on a three-year deal having left Middlesbrough.

With Scott Wharton and Derrick Williams also sidelined, Mowbray moved to bring in Jarrad Branthwaite from Everton last month, the teenager having started the last four matches alongside Darragh Lenihan.

Rovers then drafted in Harwood-Bellis from Manchester City on a deal until the end of the season, the teenager making his debut in the defeat at QPR.

Asked if the 19-year-old’s arrival was to allow Ayala more time to recover, Mowbray told the Lancashire Telegraph: “Ultimately that’s the reason Taylor is here.

“I’m hoping he gets the opportunity to show everyone what a leader and a good footballer he is at such a tender age and how aggressive he is.”

Mowbray feels the two muscle injuries that have sidelined Ayala this season have been linked to playing games in quick succession.

The 30-year-old hasn’t played since the defeat to Huddersfield in Rovers’ defeat at Huddersfield Town on December 29, and he missed six weeks of action after coming off in the loss at Watford on October 21.

The groin injury sustained in the second half at Vicarage Road came in what was a third straight start for Ayala and four days after he completed 90 minutes against Nottingham Forest, at a time when Derrick Williams was self-isolating.

Against Huddersfield, Ayala was making his second start in three days and back-to-back starts for only the second time this season, when Rovers were again plagued with injuries in defence.

Mowbray said: “I have had lots of chats with our medical and sports science departments and the conclusions are that really when Daniel is fully fit and ready to play that we don’t (push him too soon). In the coming weeks when we’ve got Saturday-Wednesday games back-to-back coming up, we can now manage it.

“Around those games at Watford and Huddersfield when you’re playing every three days and you’re asking him to play again, considering he hadn’t kicked a ball in a year or so, it’s been difficult for his body to keep going.

“Now we have the opportunity to potentially rotate him in and out depending on the opposition we’re playing.”

Having not played since New Year’s Day 2020 before his arrival at Ewood Park, following an injury hit end to his Middlesbrough career, Mowbray feels the schedule caught up with Ayala. However, the manager says he was left with little option but to start Ayala in those games given injuries elsewhere.

Scott Wharton went onto prove himself as more than capable deputy in his six successive starts before picking up a season-ending injury at Brentford where he was preferred to Ayala.

The Spaniard came on, and following the sending off of Darragh Lenihan, put in his best display in Rovers colours as they valiantly hold out for a 2-2 draw.

That was his one substitute appearance to go with eight starts, though Ayala has only been included in 10 matchday squads, having been an unused substitute in the defeat to Norwich City in December where Williams was preferred, and himself picked up an injury which has put his involvement in this season in doubt.

Ayala, who signed a three-year deal last summer, is pushing for a return to the squad, but Rovers will give him every opportunity to ensure he’s properly up to speed before being involved again.

That could see him get minutes under his belt for the Under-23s, as he did in October before making his debut against Cardiff City on October 10.

Rovers have conceded just two goals in their five Championship fixtures in 2021, with Jarrad Branthwaite and captain Darragh Lenihan having been the partnership for the last four.

Taylor Harwood-Bellis has been brought in to add competition, easing the pressure on Ayala getting himself fit before he is ready.

That will likely see Ayala return as fourth choice, with Mowbray having not ruled out the prospect of Williams playing again this season, although the former is further ahead in his rehabilitation.

Rovers allowed young central defenders Hayden Carter, Joe Grayson and Tyler Magloire all to leave the club on loan in the last window after securing the signings of Branthwaite and Harwood-Bellis.