Lee Bowyer says offering opportunities to fringe and young players in the final game of the season is the ‘respectful thing to do’.

The Birmingham City boss made a host of changes for last weekend’s 4-0 defeat at home to Cardiff City, a team which included three full debutants, and he has promised to do something similar against Rovers.

Tony Mowbray too has made clear his intention to make changes with little riding on the game and it’s impact on other sides in the division, having resisted doing so when coming up against teams scrapping for survival.

“It’s the right thing to do and the respectful thing to do. The players since I have walked through the door have trained hard every day, this week has been no different they were excellent again,” Bowyer said.

“It is what I owe them to give them an opportunity for me to consider them again in the future.”

Youngsters Amari Miller and Ryan Stirk will once again be part of the squad, but Bowyer revealed other more senior players won’t travel.

“Neil Etheridge will be travelling but he won’t be involved, Scott Hogan and Marc Roberts will be left behind. Neil has had a bit of a stomach problem, and he’s got international duty all summer (with Philippines) so he’s not going to have any rest. There’s no point taking any risks,” the Blues boss added. “Everyone needs a break mentally, to be around family.”