Daniel Ayala will be part of the first-team group for the final game of the season against Birmingham City.

Ayala played 60 minutes in the 1-0 defeat at Chelsea last week, his first appearance of 2021 after struggles with muscle issues since his last appearance for the fist-team on December 29.

The Spaniard has made just nine appearances for the first-team since arriving on a free transfer last summer following his departure from Middlesbrough. He hadn’t played for Boro since New Year’s Day before his September arrival at Ewood Park and his fitness has been managed closely after twice breaking down in the first half of the season.

But a 10th appearance of the season could arrive on the final day, with Mowbray revealing the 30-year-old could get some game-time as a psychological boost for the Spaniard.

“He’ll probably find himself on the bench for us, he’s trained the last few days and as long as he feels safe and his body will stand up to a first-team fixture then he’ll probably be on the bench,” Mowbray revealed.

“We’ll look to get him on the pitch for the last half an hour or so, so that mentally he can go into the summer fully prepared.

“Hopefully he can have a good pre-season, feel robust and strong and can help our team compete in his position next year.”

Meanwhile, Mowbray has suggested he could mix up his squad on the final day with nothing riding on their fixture against Lee Bowyer’s side who did similar the weekend before against Cardiff City when they were beaten 4-0.