The return of Cracking Shaft

Rovers are up a new/old face after the end of David Goodwillie’s absence from active playing duty.

The Scottish international has been left in footballing limbo after cutting short his ill-fated Crystal Palace loan spell, which resulted in him being unable to play for his parent club Rovers under the terms of his loan agreement.

But with a new year comes a fresh start and David will be back in the squad for tomorrow’s match with Nottingham Forest at Ewood Park, along with the rest of the players who survived any knocks and niggles in the 3-1 win at Barnsley.

‘We’ll check on any knocks after the weekend and see who is available,’ said caretaker boss Gary Bowyer, the only manager left in the UK with a perfect 100% managerial record.

‘As far as we are aware we should have a fit bunch from the Barnsley game.

‘David is available, he has looked very sharp in training. We’ve had a couple of practice matches for him and he’s looked good and scored some goals.

‘In front of goal he’s looked good but I think we have a lot of goals in the team, you look at Saturday’s team and Josh scored which is great, Ruben got his goal and of course Jordan.

‘So we’ve goals in the team and Goodie adds to that.’

Ruben Rochina and Simon Vukcevic are considered doubtful after picking up a dig or two in Sotuh Yorkshire. Other than that it should be as you were for the first game of 2013.