ADAM Armstrong is unlikely to feature against Middlesbrough tomorrow night, but Joe Rothwell could be in line for a recall.

Striker Armstrong suffered a hamstring strain just 10 minutes into Saturday's 2-0 defeat away to Swansea, but lasted until the 80th minute before he was withdrawn.

A scan has since revealed minimal damage. But tomorrow's visit of Mowbray's boyhood club Boro could come too soon, meaning his could be sidelined for the first time in 96 Championship fixtures.

"He did it in 10 minutes and he lasted 80 minutes, which tells you that it's not anything too serious. He wouldn't have been able to continue for those other 70 minutes if it was serious," said Rovers boss Mowbray.

"He's had a scan. I think it's really minor, just a few fibres. Without giving the team away we'll probably give him a rest on Tuesday night but he will be hopeful that Saturday he might be back. Or if things go all right on Tuesday we might decide to give him the extra two weeks' international break to settle it down.

"He's obviously a big player for us and one who if he doesn't make it we'll miss."

There is more positive news for Rothwell though, who suffered a back spasm after his first training session following self-isolation.

"Joe did train today," confirmed Mowbray, who is hoping there will not be another adverse reaction for Rothwell, who has not played for a month.

"He came back from isolating where he's probably been sitting on his sofa for 14 days and after one session where he felt great I got a call at night time, I think it was half 10, saying that Joe's back had gone into spasm after the session and he couldn't get off the chair.

"He's missed the last few games after that. He trained today, I just hope his back doesn't go back into spasm on the back of isolating for two weeks.

"But Rothwell is a big player for us. When you talk about balance he is a lad who can run with the ball and go past people like they're not there.

"He's one of the fastest players travelling with the ball I've ever seen, so he's been a miss for us."

The returning Stewart Downing is available for selection but is unlikely to feature being short of match fitness.

"We're going to use the international break to get Stewy fit," said Mowbray.

"He's been at home, I know he's been running but he hasn't kicked many balls over the last few months now so we'll use the next two weeks to get him fit. He trained with the team today and looked fine but it's different in a light session on a Monday morning preparing for Tuesday night than actually playing in a game. So we'll try to get him fit through the international break and then he'll be available after that."