John Eustace praised the performance of Yasin Ayari after admitting Blackburn Rovers are 'light' in central midfield.

Rovers have struggled to nail down a consistent pairing in the middle of the park since Adam Wharton left the club in January. With Sondre Tronstad, Joe Rankin-Costello and John Fleck injured, Eustace has chopped and changed his combinations.

John Buckley has started the last five matches, with Andrew Moran, Jake Garrett and Ayari getting a run next to him. The latter was making only his second Championship start for Rovers when he got the nod against Plymouth Argyle.

The Swede, signed in the New Year on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion, played an important role in the first goal. It was a quick one-two with Arnor Sigurdsson which created the space for him to slot in Sam Szmodics, who finished emphatically.

READ MORE: Blackburn Rovers' improvement and weakness under Eustace

Eustace was impressed with Ayari but admitted Rovers are struggling to rotate the squad with a lack of proven, Championship-hardened players available.

"I thought he was magnificent, he has come off the bench in the last couple of games without playing at all really," Eustace said.

“I thought he sat in there in midfield and broke the play up well. He was aggressive, very energetic and I was pleased for him.

"He tired during the second half and the first half and that is understandable because he hasn't played many games. This is where we are at the moment.

"We haven't got a consistent team that are Championship hardened and play week in, week out, especially in midfield, we are very light.

"We're asking players to play against good players and compete for 90 minutes. I thought his quality showed at times. Also, he looked a bit leggy at times which was understandable.

"I was pleased to see him set up the goal and I thought he had a good game.”