Rovers have announced that tomorrow’s Lancashire Senior Cup tie with Preston North End has been postponed.

The two sides were set to meet in the first round of the competition at the Senior Training Centre, Brockhall (1pm), but the club put out a statement this afternoon to say the game was no longer taking place due to Preston's inability to field a team to meet the criteria of the competition.  

It read: "Blackburn Rovers' Lancashire FA Senior Cup first-round tie against Preston North End, which was scheduled to take place on Tuesday 11th September, has been cancelled.

"The rules of the competition require clubs to select a number of players with a professional contract, but injuries, suspensions and international commitments resulted in our opponents advising us that they were unable to select a team that would meet those regulations.

"Rovers held conversations with both Preston North End and the Lancashire FA in an attempt to find alternative arrangements, but unfortunately this has proven impossible at such short notice.

"The club has expressed its disappointment at the late cancellation by our opponents.

"Any further announcements will be made in due course."

A statement from Preston added: "The rules of the competition provide for a team to select a number of players with a professional contract in the side, but with injuries, suspensions (Ben Pearson and Ryan Ledson being unavailable) and players on international duty, the club were unable to select a team that would meet those regulations.

"It is with disappointment that the game is forfeited in this way, but in these circumstances it could not be helped, despite conversations with the LFA and Blackburn Rovers, who PNE would like to thank for trying to find alternative arrangements."

Rovers Under-23s are next in action when they host Arsenal at Ewood Park on Monday, September 17 (7pm).