Tony Mowbray hints at internal Ben Brereton Diaz replacement at Blackburn Rovers

The 26-year old has predominantly played this season out on the right-hand side of Rovers’ attack.

But with the injury to Ben Brereton Diaz, Mowbray has experimented with playing Gallagher through the middle. 

Gallagher put Blackburn ahead in the 10th minute against Blackpool which was his eighth goal this campaign.

That equalled last season’s tally, and Mowbray believes there is more to come from the former Southampton player.

The Rovers boss even hinted that Gallagher could be in line to replace Brereton Diaz should the Chile international leave the club this summer.

“I played Sam down the middle and usually play him on the right and ask him to run those channels and get in at the back stick from balls coming in from the other side,” said Mowbray, via Lancashire Telegraph.

“I’m pleased for him that he scored, it was a good finish. He scored a good header at the back stick against Derby a couple of games ago, so he can score goals.

“Maybe for this football club, if Brereton gets sold in the summer, whether he does or he doesn’t is another issue but he’ll be in the last year of his contract, and if that’s something that happens then someone is going to have to step up.

“Maybe Sam Gallagher is the player that can turn into the 20-goal a season striker as Brereton did on the back of Armstrong leaving.”

Unfortunately for Blackburn, Gallagher’s strike wasn’t enough to earn the three points as the side lost further ground in the play-off race.

A 48th minute equaliser from Marvin Ekpiteta saw the game finish 1-1 at Ewood Park, much to the disappointment of the home fans. 

That result left Rovers two points outside the top six with only five games left to play this season.

Up next for Blackburn is a trip to face Peterborough