Rovers defender Derrick Williams is back in first team training and ready to make up for lost time on the pitch, writes JONATHAN MASSEY.

A calf injury has seen Williams sidelined for most of 2019, appearing just once in all competitions coming off the bench in the FA Cup game at Newcastle United.

Manager Tony Mowbray revealed the 26-year-old was close to making the squad for last Saturday’s visit of Ipswich Town, only to be given further recovery time.

But the Republic of Ireland international says he’s feeling good and is raring to go ahead off this weekend’s visit of Hull City.

“I’m back training now, and I probably feel the best I’ve felt since the start of the season,” said Williams, speaking at a Rovers Community Trust event at Daisyfield Primary School.

His injury coincided with a hamstring problem for captain Charlie Mulgrew which had left Mowbray short of options in defence.

Jack Rodwell has deputised in the last two Championship games alongside Darragh Lenihan.

Missing a run of games is only pushing the defender to come back stronger and make the most of the rest of the season.

“I’m ready to give this last end of the season a real go and really push myself for what games we have left,” he added.

“Obviously I’ve missed quite a lot because I’ve had a few injuries, but I’m ready to go and I’m looking forward to it.”

Williams has been a virtual ever-present for Rovers since signing from Bristol City in the summer of 2016.

But he has battled with injury all season, with calf and hamstring problems seeing him start only 12 games in all competitions this campaign.

However, now back to full fitness, Williams is hopeful he can build on Rovers’ good start to 2019, and push on for the remainder of the season.

“We want to be up there,” he said.

“But we will take it game by game, and we will see how far we can go.

“The play-offs are only six points away, so it’s something for us to aim for.”