Hughes: Derbs Still Has A BIG Rovers Future

Blackburn Rovers manager mark Hughes has stressed that Matt Derbyshire still has a very bright and important role to play at Ewood Park despite his lack of matches recently.

After bursting onto the scene last season England Under-21 International Derbyshire has found his chances somewhat limited this season, making only four starts, with his other appearances being as a substitute. However, Hughes insists that Derbs' long-standing injury problem (with a double-hernia operation needed) is all that is holding him back, and he is a MAJOR player in his plans for the future.

Hughes said: "He is struggling with injury. He is booked in for a double-hernia operation as soon as the season ends and he may well go in sooner than that.

"Matty is an explosive player and a great impact player for us and in recent weeks, given the opposition we have gone up against, I've erred on the side of safety somewhat with putting an extra defensive-minded player (on the bench), rather than two attacking-minded players.

"That's the thinking behind it. It's not the fact that I'm unhappy with his performance or that I think he hasn't got a big part to play, because he certainly has."


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