Blackburn Rovers will be forced into a defensive reshuffle this weekend with Kyle McFadzean suspended.

The experienced centre-back has started every match since John Eustace took over but will be forced to watch from the sidelines against Middlesbrough.

McFadzean brought down Ryan Hardie through on goal and will now get a free-week break from playing with the international break looming.

Eustace has named the same three-man defence in the last six matches but will have to tinker with his personnel this weekend. 

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These are the possible options available to the Rovers head coach including likely candidates to come in, a formation change and a wildcard option.

The likely candidates

With Hayden Carter out injured, John Eustace has two senior like-for-like replacements he could turn to at the Riverside Stadium.

Connor O'Riordan is yet to make his full Rovers debut and has been restricted to just a handful of substitute appearances. The young defender didn't make the matchday squad at the weekend but played for the Under-21s on Monday night in a 5-1 win over Nottingham Forest.

If Eustace plumps for O'Riordan, he'd likely play on the right of the back three, with Dom Hyam moving back into the centre, a role he's occupied many times. The 21-year-old has played that position for Crewe Alexandra in the past.

The other option is Billy Koumetio, who also played in the victory over Forest. The Liverpool loanee has only made one substitute appearance, against Newcastle United in the FA Cup.

Koumetio is left-footed and so it would be Scott Wharton moving into the middle, should he get the nod. Either way, it would be a full Championship debut for the two young defenders.

A change in formation

Rovers could, of course, go to a four-man defence instead of the back five that Eustace has preferred. That was the formation that they'd used throughout Tomasson's reign.

It would enable Eustace to add another midfielder or attacker into the mix, should he wish to. Considering Rovers' problems with creating meaningful chances, that could be a tempting option.

Eustace has moved to a back four a couple of times to mid-game. He did it against Newcastle and also in the second half at Swansea City to try and get back in the game.

It would allow Tyrhys Dolan, Dilan Markanday or Ryan Hedges to join Sam Gallagher, Sam Szmodics and Arnor Sigurdsson in the front four. Fans would also like to see Zak Gilsenan get an opportunity in the first team too.

An alternative solution

Eustace could operate with a hybrid system of a back four in possession and five when Middlesbrough have the ball.

Hedges' return to fitness means he could slot as the left-wing-back, the role he played before injury, with Harry Pickering moving to left centre-back.

The defender has played that role before, in the 1-1 draw against Huddersfield. Ben Chrisene then played as the wing-back to give a bit more attacking license. The Aston Villa loanee has also played left-centre-back in a couple of Rovers matches since coming in.

Playing Pickering there would allow Rovers to defend with the back-five shape still but Hedges could get forward more freely, knowing he has someone who can defend wide areas behind him.

Personally, I think this is the option I'd go for. Bringing Hedges in for McFadzean would give Eustace flexibility to change the shape depending on the game state.