OWEN Coyle is ready to take Danny Graham out of the line of fire after revealing his star striker has been playing through the pain barrier in an effort to reverse Blackburn Rovers’ fortunes.

Graham has scored only one goal so far this season and he has been taken off in four of Rovers’ seven winless league matches.

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But Coyle has disclosed that the 31-year-old, who made a permanent move to Ewood Park in the summer after a highly successful loan spell, has had to have injections in his ankle to start the last two games.

Graham was substituted in last Saturday’s 1-1 draw at QPR and also in Tuesday’s 2-1 loss at Leeds United which ensured Rovers remain bottom going into this afternoon’s home clash with Rotherham United (3pm).

But the former Watford and Swansea City frontman is unlikely to play any part in the Millers match after his manager insisted he has to feel ‘100 per cent’.

Rovers boss Coyle said: “Danny is such a big player when he’s at himself. We know the quality he has.

“He’s felt he’s wanted to help the team, he’s felt he’s been good to go, and he worked his socks off at QPR and did well, but I had to bring him off latterly because I felt it was getting too much for him late on.

“The game at Leeds was maybe a game too much for him in terms of his ankle. He was probably feeling it a little bit.

“But he wanted to be out there because he cares about the club and he wants to do well.

“That being said I’ve said to him it’s important, if he’s ready to go, he’s got to be 100 per cent. It can’t be any less because we play at such a high level. I’ve had a good chat with him about that.

“He’s a great lad, he loves being at the club, he wants to be at Blackburn Rovers.

“Of course we have to look at that with a view to Saturday as we do have Sam Gallagher and Marvin Emnes available.

“We’ll see how Danny’s ankle is in the run up to the game.”

Emnes made his Rovers debut against QPR after signing on loan from Swansea City and then scored his first goal for the club after coming on for Graham against Leeds.

The former Holland Under-21 international picked up a knock at Elland Road. It is expected, however, he will be fit to face Rotherham.

Coyle, who is still without Anthony Stokes, said: “Marvin has shown already he is going to be a handful. That’s why we brought him to the club.

“I’ve got to say I worked tirelessly on that deal. We brought him here on a fraction of the salary he’s on at Swansea. I have to thank Swansea for their help and co-operation.

“I do believe he’s a wonderful player and I think he’ll be exciting. He can score, he can create a goal, and he can play anywhere across the frontline, so he gives you flexibility in forward areas.

“What he has shown when he picks the ball up is that he gets you excited because you think something could happen.

“I think he’ll be an important player for us, as will Sam Gallagher, Danny Graham and Anthony Stokes. You can never have enough goalscorers at your club.

“Ideally you want them all fit at the same time but that hasn’t happened yet. But in time we’ll get there.”