CONNOR Mahoney could be thrust into the heat of a Lancashire derby after Rovers boss Tony Mowbray revealed he can now ‘trust’ the young winger to play from the start.

 

The 20-year-old local lad would love nothing more than to be named in the side to face bitter rivals Preston North End this lunchtime.

 

And while head coach Mowbray says he has to take experience into account, he insists Mahoney has proved he can work hard and keep focused for 90 minutes.

 

The Rovers boss, who could also name striker Lucas Joao in the starting XI after his three goals in two games off the bench, has used Mahoney as a replacement in all of his six matches in charge so far.

 

Mowbray said: “Sometimes when you’re a young player trying to make that breakthrough, I think you understand why managers do what I’m doing at the moment.

 

“Yet I do believe very strongly that Connor has the talent and physical attributes – he can run up and down all day.

 

“My view of the first few weeks was put him on but (I was thinking) is he potentially going to let us down out of possession, not run back, not cover his full-back, not help?

 

“I have to say he does that extremely well, his concentration levels out of possession are good.

 

“So, as we go forward, I believe I can trust him to play now, to start football matches.

 

“The balance, of course, is have they got a wide player who is a real threat, for instance (Ryan) Sessegnon for Fulham who had just been to St James’ Park and scored two goals.

 

“We took a decision to put a more midfield-minded player in that area to help the full-back.

 

“And, of course, if you put (Ryan) Nyambe and Mahoney down the right together it’s a very inexperienced side of the pitch that could get exposed.

 

“Sometimes the balance of youth and experience together can be a better balance than two young ones.

 

“They might argue to me their youthful enthusiasm, athleticism and energy might be good as well.

 

“I have to make those calls. That’s why you study the opposition, you look at what you’re playing against, what their strengths and weakness are, and put a team on the pitch to get a positive result.”

 

With Charlie Mulgrew, Corry Evans and Sam Gallagher all back in training this week, Mowbray will have almost a fully-fit squad to pick from for the first time since his arrival last month.

 

But he says that while selections always cause discussion and sometimes criticism from the stands, he doesn’t think Rovers fans will care who’s on the pitch if their side can keep picking up results.

 

“At the end of the day I have to pick a team that I think can win the football match,” he added.

 

“Football management is a business where if you don’t win everybody can criticise your decisions on the back of a poor result.

 

“Why didn’t you play him? Why didn’t you put him in there? Surely you’ve got to put him in?

 

“On the back of a positive result nobody questions your selection.

 

“I’ll pick a team that if it wins I don’t think anybody will worry whether Mulgrew, Evans, Gallagher, whoever it is, plays. You congratulate the result.”