The Rovers players will have an extra day off this week as a number of them look to recover from knocks sustained over the festive period.

Kasey Palmer and Jack Rodwell missed the FA Cup tie at Newcastle United on Saturday through illness and a groin strain respectively, while Harrison Reed was only on the bench, coming on for the final 20 minutes.

Captain Charlie Mulgrew went down injured in the closing stages, and despite carrying on, boss Tony Mowbray revealed the 32-year-old has been struggling with a niggle.

Ryan Nyambe was back in the squad at St James’ Park, after two weeks out with a hamstring problem, with Derrick Williams and Craig Conway fit-again after respective injuries over the festive period.

On Southampton loanee Reed, who was given a rare break from the starting line-up, Mowbray said: “He’s been really tight, missed several days training.

“Reedy works unbelievably hard, his numbers are huge for us, and I felt it was time to give him a break.

“If we needed him he could come on, as he did, and there was no need for him to do another 12km in a game when we can bring in Craig Conway.

“Lewis Travis showed he could do it, another great performance from the young guy, I felt.

“They are the options we have.”

Mulgrew received treatment in the closing stages of the 1-1 draw, which will see a replay needed at Ewood Park next week.

On his captain, Mowbray added: “He’s got a knock. He was struggling in the dressing room afterwards.

“I thought he dealt with a lot of aerial stuff well. We’ll see what the next couple of days bring.

“There are a few carrying knocks and feeling it a bit at the moment.”

Chelsea loanee Palmer, who has started 10 of Rovers’ 26 league matches, wasn’t involved in the squad at all having struggled with illness.

Youngster Danny Butterworth travelled with the group, but didn’t make the 18, with Rovers not wanting to leave themselves short of options.

“He was ill. He was up all night, and when I get those calls at 6.30am I generally tell them to stay in bed and we’ll get the doctor out to him,” Mowbray said of Palmer.

“I didn’t really want him near the group with something that they may catch so he wasn’t involved.”

Rovers are next in action on Saturday when they travel to Millwall (5.30pm).