Rovers could field a much-changed side on the final day of the season consisting largely of players under contract for next season.

With the play-offs out of reach, and nothing riding on the trip to Birmingham City, Tony Mowbray has hinted that loan players and those unlikely to be with the club next season may not feature.

That will open the door for central defender Daniel Ayala to return to the side for the first time since January, with Tayo Edun and Tyrhys Dolan among those pushing for inclusion.

It could mean that player of the year Jan Paul van Hecke, plus out-of-contract duo Darragh Lenihan and Joe Rothwell don’t feature, with one eye on next season.

It will also be Mowbray’s final game in charge, but having signed off last season with victory over Birmingham, he will be looking for the same this weekend.

He said: “I will prepare the team the very best I can to go to Birmingham and win a game.

“Yet I’ve already told some of the loan players that because they’re not going to be here next year, go back to your parent clubs.

“Maybe Daniel Ayala should start, he’s under contract for next season, so maybe the players under contract, Tayo Edun, should play and the team will reflect what’s here and the players that have to perform next year for this team.”

Wolves loanee Ryan Giles hasn’t featured in the last three matchday squads after failing to make the impact hoped since his January arrival.

Ian Poveda has been used off the bench in the last two matches after returning to the club following a long-term injury saw him return to parent club Leeds.

But he, along with van Hecke are unlikely to feature against the Blues, with Reda Khadra’s time at the club already over due to injury, with the 20-year-old having returned to Brighton.

Bradley Johnson is out of contract this summer and hasn’t been used in the squad since coming off the bench in the defeat at Peterborough United, with his three-year stay at the club drawing to an end.

Ryan Nyambe has also been unused in Rovers’ last two matches as the uncertainty continues over his future.

The 24-year-old sees his deal with the club expire this summer, meaning his 12-year stay at Ewood Park appears to be drawing to a close.

Mowbray has opted to use Lenihan at right back in the last two matches, following a move to a back four, but says the decision not to use Nyambe hasn’t been due to what the future holds.

He said: “While we could still qualify for the play-offs I pick the best team and the players who I feel are going to help the team win the game, and Ryan wasn’t selected in the 18.”

Jack Vale, scorer of four goals in Rovers Under-23’s win over Chelsea is also pushing for inclusion in the first-team squad for only the second time this season.

Take out a subscription...

Gain unlimited access to the Lancashire Telegraph website with a premium digital subscription from just £1