Blackburn Rovers Receive Timely Boost Ahead Of Championship Return
Blackburn Rovers have received a timely boost ahead of this weekend’s Championship clash with Cardiff City following the news that striker Harry Leonard will return to the squad.
The 20-year-old only made his Rovers’ debut last season, breaking into the first team after scoring 10 times in 15 appearances for the under-21 team. His first goal for the club arrived on the opening day of this season in the 2-1 win over West Bromwich Albion, before following that up with his second in the 3-1 defeat to Sunderland last month.
Leonard limped out of their loss to Ipswich Town in the following fixture and it was later revealed that he had suffered a tight calf which had ruled him out of Blackburn’s last three fixtures.
The striker has now revealed to BBC Radio Lancashire, via the Lancashire Telegraph, that he is fit to return to the squad for the visit of Cardiff on Saturday;
have put a lot of work in over the international break and I am back fit now.
“Towards the end of the game at Ipswich, I felt my calf a little bit and didn’t think much of it.
“I went for a scan and a little thing came up. It wasn’t too serious but I have got it sorted now. Fingers crossed, I will be alright.”
Jon Dahl Tomasson’s team halted a run of four consecutive defeats shortly before the international break with an impressive 4-0 win over struggling Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road. As a result, Leonard knows that the manager now has a decision to make this weekend;
“I was in the team, I felt like I was playing well and performing. It didn’t come at a great time but I am focused to try and get back in the squad now.
“At least there was the international break. We had a few days off but I was in trying to get my injury right. Now I’ve got to try to give the manager a decision to make at the weekend.
“I was buzzing (after the win against QPR), it was just what we needed going into the break. I think it has given the lads a boost for the upcoming games.
“It will give all the lads confidence. It was about time we put four or five past someone!
“Cardiff will be a tough test. They will be good, and every game in the Championship is usually tough. We have to be bang on with everything we do on Saturday.
“It is going to be full on (in the next few weeks) and we will need everyone. We have got to try to get everyone fit.”
Writer’s View
It’s a welcome headache to have for Jon Dahl Tomasson this week, particularly after the confidence boosting win last time out. He will be hoping that the international break hasn’t stopped any of the potential momentum they may have picked up and he will be targeting a surge up the table after briefly flirting with the relegation places.
Harry Leonard looks a real talent and is further proof that Blackburn’s academy is starting to produce the goods, with midfielder Adam Wharton another who is predicted to have a big career. It’s likely that the attacker will start on the bench this weekend, although there is a tight turnaround before the trip to Millwall next Tuesday and he won’t be rushed back.
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