Ryan Alebiosu and Todd Cantwell returned to training in time to face Preston North End at Deepdale on Saturday, giving Tony Mowbray two significant boosts ahead of a Championship Lancashire derby that kicks off at 12:30.

Both players came off during Tuesday's 0-0 draw at Lincoln City, raising concerns about their availability. Mowbray confirmed they had come through the week's sessions, though the overall injury picture at Ewood Park remains severe: 12 players are currently unavailable, and the head coach must also navigate Tom Atcheson's suspension following a red card against the Imps.

That dismissal leaves Blackburn with a particularly exposed position at centre-back. Hayden Carter and Scott Wharton remain sidelined, meaning Mowbray has just one fit senior option in that role heading into the derby. How he structures his defence against Preston will be one of the key tactical questions of the afternoon.

Despite the scale of the absentee list, Mowbray struck a measured tone in his press conference with BBC Radio Lancashire. "We're putting what I feel is a pretty strong team out with 12 injuries as well," he said. "I know it's not ideal to have so many injuries to so many players that could make a difference to the team, but that's not going to be the case all season."

The 62-year-old added that he feels "pretty relaxed" and expects to field a "really competitive" side, while acknowledging the wider context of a punishing schedule. Blackburn currently sit in the middle of a run of seven games in 21 days, a workload that Mowbray believes is contributing directly to the injury list.

"It feels unusual to have so many people down," he said. "Is it just the volume of games, literally a game every three days for three weeks? That's what we're in the middle of at the moment."

Mowbray pointed to the pace of the contemporary game as a structural factor, not just a Blackburn problem. "The speed of the modern game has become so much quicker," he said, suggesting the challenge of managing player loads is an issue across the division.

The relentless fixture schedule has also curtailed his ability to work on the training pitch. With barely a day between matches, Rovers' coaching staff have had to rely on video analysis rather than live sessions to prepare the squad for opponents. "My frustration as a coach is that we're not being able to train the team," Mowbray acknowledged. "You finish a game, you recover. And then you've got one day before you play the next game."

The derby context adds further weight to Saturday's fixture. Preston arrive at Deepdale having endured a difficult run of their own, and both clubs will be eager for a result that lifts morale and puts points on the board early in the Championship campaign.

For Blackburn, the return of Cantwell in particular matters. As captain, he provides leadership and a creative outlet from midfield; his absence in recent weeks was felt more than just numerically. With him and Alebiosu back, Mowbray has the core of a competitive side, provided the defensive makeshift arrangements hold together in what promises to be an intense afternoon in Preston.

"We need to get some of these lads back over the next month or so and then I'll be even more comfortable," Mowbray said. The derby gives Rovers a chance to prove the squad's depth before the full complement returns.

Frequently asked

Is Todd Cantwell fit for the Preston vs Blackburn derby?
Yes. Tony Mowbray confirmed that Cantwell has returned to full training and is available for Saturday's Championship Lancashire derby at Deepdale, having come off during the 0-0 draw at Lincoln City.
How many players are injured at Blackburn Rovers?
Mowbray confirmed that 12 Blackburn players are currently unavailable, with Hayden Carter and Scott Wharton among the absent centre-backs, leaving Rovers with just one fit senior option in that position.
What time does Preston vs Blackburn kick off on Saturday?
The Championship Lancashire derby at Deepdale kicks off at 12:30 BST on Saturday.