BEN Marshall is struggling with illness making him a doubt for Blackburn Rovers’ trip to Huddersfield Town on New Year’s Eve.

Marshall missed the Boxing Day defeat at Barnsley with a groin injury, but he has since struggled with illness, with Rovers set to make a late decision on the 25-year-old ahead of the game at the John Smith’s Stadium.

The right-sided player was sent home by the club doctor on Thursday morning after reporting for training, and manager Owen Coyle admits Marshall will be assessed again on Friday to see if he will be available.

“He tweaked his groin and then he picked up an illness,” said Coyle.

“So there will be a late decision with regards to that.

“Other than the suspensions, we should have that same squad available again.”

Marshall, who is out of contract at the end of the season, has been linked with a move to Wolves in the January transfer window and a link-up with former boss Paul Lambert.

And Coyle added: “I think there is always a cynical side of people that players are looking after themselves.

“We brought him in purposely to make sure health wise how he was and the doctor saw him at 8am on Thursday.

“He had to send him home because he was poorly and suffering from some of the symptoms that come with his illness

“The doctor gave him some medication and he will be assessed again.”

Ryan Nyambe is on standby to make his third Rovers start deputising for Marshall, having done so at Barnsley, and in the reverse fixture against Huddersfield on December 3 which was his full league debut.

Coyle reported no further injury concerns ahead of the game, though Jason Lowe will serve the second of his two-match suspension against the Terriers.

Darragh Lenihan is also set to miss Rovers’ next three games through suspension after his straight red card at Barnsley on Boxing Day.  His dismissal for violent conduct has seen the 22-year-old handed a three match ban which will see him miss league games against Huddersfield and Newcastle, and the FA Cup tie at QPR on January 7.

Lenihan’s absence could well see Charlie Mulgrew, who returned from a groin injury to play at Barnsley, move from central midfield to central defence against the Terriers.

Gordon Greer is also pushing for a recall in the centre of the Rovers defence, while Corry Evans, also back from injury at Oakwell, could be set for a return in midfield after an impressive cameo display on Boxing Day.

Danny Guthrie will also be in the reckoning for a midfield start should Mulgrew vacate that role having also returned from injury against Barnsley.