Rovers will look to arrange another behind closed doors game next week as they manage the final stages of Bradley Dack’s comeback.

Dack ended a 330-day wait to pull on a Rovers shirt again during the international break, but a slight hamstring issue since the draw with Sheffield United means he won’t feature for the Under-23s against Everton tonight.

That had been identified as a possibility for the 26-year-old who has been out since December with a knee injury, but Mowbray allayed any fears over a substantial setback for the attacker who has resumed training this week after a few days off.

Instead, Tony Mowbray says another behind closed doors game could be sourced for next week to boost the fitness of Dack, as well as some fringe first-team players who have been short of match time.

Dack has set his sights on featuring in at least 20 Championship matches this season, a figure that should be well within his sights.

“There’s a potential for us to arrange another match next week,” Mowbray said.

“Like any player coming back from long-term injury, they have little setbacks along the way, little things that make it not the smooth journey back that you want.

“He had an awareness in his hamstring but he’s back out there and running, not far away.

“He’s out there running and kicking balls again and he’s happy.”

Mowbray has continued to stress that Rovers won’t rush the return of Dack who last played for Rovers some 11 months ago after sustaining a cruciate knee ligament injury against Wigan.

Rovers are nursing a lengthy injury list at present, but the packed schedule is meaning several players needed to be around the first-team to help with the numbers are missing out on game-time.

Harry Chapman played 60 minutes for the Under-23s in their last-gasp win at Brighton on Monday before being an unused substitute in the first-team game at Preston.

Hayden Carter has also missed out on playing for the Under-23s, with Rovers short of defensive options within the senior set-up, and would likely be under consideration to play in any arranged game.

“There’s a few players in the Under-23s and the fringe players who, with the games coming thick and fast at first-team level, the players that have been sitting on the bench but not getting on, they need a game at some stage,” Mowbray said.

“We will try and fit a game in to get them some minutes on the pitch, playing in a match.

“If Bradley fits into that then that’s what we’ll do. I’m not in a rush, the team isn’t in a rush, and we have to do what’s best for them.”

The Under-23s, currently third in Premier League 2, host Everton tonight where they will be aiming to continue their impressive start to the season.

The game will come too soon for Dan Butterworth, despite nearing his comeback from a back problem.

That has kept him out for much of the last year, but having worked closely with Dack during their own respective rehabilitation periods, he’s eyeing a comeback appearance in the not too distant future.

“He’s been out a long time now, almost a year, he’s knocking on my office door and wants to play for the Under-23s tonight, but with the programme he’s on, the right thing has to be done, so if it’s another week of training and working flat out so that he gets his numbers right then we’ll know he’s ready for a game,” Mowbray said of the 21-year-old.

“Why gamble on a week or two when it’s been 10, 11, 12 months?

“Bradley fits in that as well, when he’s ready and his body is telling him he’s ready then it will.

“We’ll not rush him for any reason but get him back up to speed.”