A depleted Rovers squad could welcome Ben Brereton back into the fold for the visit of Leeds United.

Brereton was one of a host of senior players not available for the weekend defeat at Bradford City, the attacker still getting up to speed after his two-week break following his international commitments with Chile.

His training will step-up by returning to full-time training from today which will put him in a position to feature in Wednesday’s fixture against the Premier League side.

A lack of signings, injury and unavailability forced Rovers to field a bench of players with just six combined first-team appearances, the 11 that finished the defeat at Valley Parade having an average age of just 19.

Brereton, Sam Gallagher and Tyrhys Dolan, all yet to feature in pre-season, are the three players Rovers will hope to welcome back into the squad for the final two friendlies, with the visit of Leeds followed by a trip to Bolton Wanderers on Saturday.

Lewis Travis was the latest player to sit out a game, the midfielder missing from the squad at Bradford having featured in the opening two games, while Darragh Lenihan will be assessed after being forced off with a facial injury.

Rovers were again without Bradley Johnson who is nursing a hamstring injury, with Scott Wharton and Bradley Dack longer-term concerns, and Joe Rankin-Costello in the process of finishing his rehabilitation.

“Brereton is very close, he’s come back and done a couple of days training and hopefully he’ll be joining in full time on Monday,” coach David Lowe said.

“Tyrhys and Sam are also very close, at the final stages of their rehabilitation and have joined in with some of the sessions, so hopefully in the next couple of days they’ll be able to kick on.”

The unavailability of senior players, and Rovers’ small squad brought about by the departure of 11 players since the end of last season, has meant opportunities have arisen for several young players.

Louie Annesley and Connor McBride have both featured in all three friendlies so far, with teenagers Lenni Cirino, Jake Garrett, Charlie Weston and Zak Gilsenan all getting their first taste of senior action at the weekend.

Lowe came into the first-team set-up when Tony Mowbray was appointed as manager in February 2017 having previously been head of Academy coaching.

Having been a key part of the Brockhall production line, he was pleased to see more involved, despite the difficult circumstances.

“It’s very good for them. It’s a big ask for them to produce performances against men but hopefully it will stand them in good stead,” Lowe said of their involvement.

“It will have been demanding for them against a tough Bradford team, but they have had a taste of it now, they know what it’s all about and can go from strength to strength.”