ON-LOAN Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper Jason Steele has backed Simon Eastwood to fill his gloves in the top-six showdown with Middlesbrough.

Much to the in-form Steele’s frustration he will be ineligible to face his parent club in Saturday’s Riverside clash.

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But his absence will provide the opportunity for one of Rovers’ three other senior keepers with a chance to shine.

Eastwood would appear to be above Paul Robinson and Jake Kean in the pecking order having acted as Steele’s back-up on the bench for the past 11 matches.

And, if does get the nod, he will go into the game with the seal of approval from Rovers’ current number one.

“Of course it’s frustrating I won’t be able to play but it’s just one of things,” said Steele, who will also be ruled out of the reverse fixture with Boro at Ewood Park on December 28.

“But I think whoever plays in my place, whether it be Easty, what with him being on the bench, will do a good job.

“I’ve known and played against Easty since I was a kid and he’s a top, top keeper.

“But hopefully one day I’ll get to play for us against Middlesbrough.”

Steele is on a season-long loan at Rovers from boyhood club Boro.

But the 24-year-old, who has made more than 140 Championship appearances, will be out of contract in the summer.

And he is not ruling out making his move to Rovers permanent.

“I am happy here and I am just happy to be playing football and to be involved with a team and a squad a good as we have here,” said Steele, who was surprisingly frozen by new Boro boss Aitor Karanka after being the club’s first-choice keeper for three-and-a-half seasons.

“I don’t live down here but if things were to change, then that would change.

“We’ll see what happens and hopefully if the club wants to do that, it will get sorted, and if not, I still love it here and I’m really thankful for the opportunity I’ve been given.”

Steele made two stunning saves in the dramatic 2-1 win over Leeds United on Saturday that sent Rovers rocketing into the play-off spots and within two points of third-placed Boro.

He flew to his left to deny Adryan in the first half and he revealed he got a touch to the Mirco Antenucci shot that slammed against the post when the thrilling Roses encounter was even.

“I was pleased with the one in the first half but I was more pleased with the one in the second when I got a little nick on the ball because it was more of a key moment in the game,” said Steele.

“It’s always nice to make good saves, especially in front of your own fans, but listen, we conceded a rubbish goal, and I’m disappointed I didn’t get a clean sheet.”

Steele has bounced back impressively from his hit and miss start to his Rovers career.

But the former England U21s international said: “I’ve played a lot of football for someone who is young and I know it has got a funny habit of kicking you up the backside when you’re doing well.

“I’ve just got to keep working hard and train as hard I can.”