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Tomasson makes fitness admission ahead of Rovers' Burnley trip

Sam Gallagher was rested for Rovers' midweek Carabao Cup tie <i>(Image: PA Images)</i>
Sam Gallagher was rested for Rovers' midweek Carabao Cup tie (Image: PA Images)

Rovers' ability to call upon a healthy number of their squad for the majority of the opening part of the season is a credit to the club’s planning and medical department, says Jon Dahl Tomasson.

Long-term absentee Sam Barnes, whose ACL injury was sustained in a practice match in August, is the only player currently on the treatment table, despite the packed schedule.

Rovers face local rivals Burnley tomorrow in their final game before the World Cup break, a 24th fixture in all competitions since the season began on July 30.

While Rovers had issues earlier in the season in certain positions, the squad has largely remained healthy since, giving Tomasson plenty of options to select from.

He was able to rest a number of key figures for the midweek Carabao Cup tie at West Ham United, where a much-changed side came through on penalties, and Tomasson says his squad are ‘really ready’ for the first East Lancashire derby of the season.

“We are trying to plan well,” he said.

“The medical and physical department are planning well, they are doing a great job, it’s a boost to have the whole squad.

“I have used the squad the whole year, first of all to have a good performance but also to develop players.

“We are happy at the moment to have everyone fit and I can promise you, they’re really ready.”

Tomasson has rotated his options and kept an eye on player workloads, which has included rest as much as it has game-time in the Under-21s.

Several players came into the starting line-up for the first time since August against West Ham, and their performances have given Tomasson a lot of confidence.

He added: “That’s what you want, healthy competition within the competition squad.

“If you look at the spirit which we have developed over time, you saw that in London the other day.

“We had some players that hadn’t played that much and we have won five wins out of six and they were giant killers the other day. It shows the spirit in the squad.

“It’s a very good foundation to build on.”

“I’ve always said you can always give a manager confidence in one minute by doing the right thing.

“A lot of players did the right things the other day, it’s also about being professional and having the right attitude because of course we can score about Ben’s 50th goal and he will also be a really important player against Burnley.

“But our main superstar is the team.”

Tomasson is expected to go with a back three, which makes his biggest selection call whether to go with Ryan Hedges or Sam Szmodics alongside Sam Gallagher and Ben Brereton in attack.

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