This article reports on the injury and illness situation within the Blackburn Rovers football team. Key details include:
Manager Valerien Ismael confirms that Brittain's substitution was pre-planned to ease him back into playing after his extended absence. He expresses concern about the game's intensity's impact on Brittain but notes that Brittain expressed a desire to start the game. The manager's decision on Cozier-Duberry prioritizes Academy players.
Cauley Woodrow was the solitary change after the victory over Millwall with Cantwell absent from the squad entirely after reporting in sick.
"Yeah, he's sick," Ismael revealed.
"After the game against Millwall, he felt unwell and two days after he was out with a fever and all the symptoms, headache, so that's why he was on today."
READ MORE: Valerien Ismael on Blackburn Rovers 'breakthrough' and Sunderland verdict
Callum Brittain was taken off before the hour but that was a pre-planned change, Ismael revealed. Having just come back from injury, Rovers always intended to play him for 60 minutes in both games to manage his comeback.
"It was part of the game because after a seven-week injury, he came back last week, he was really, really strong," Ismael said.
"Today I was a little bit concerned due to the game and the intensity of the game, but I spoke with Calum before the game and he told me he wanted to start.
"We want him to have at least a good hour to stay in the rhythm and I think we managed him well, so he has enough time now to recover for the next game."
Amario Cozier-Duberry was left out of the squad with Ismael prioritising Academy products.
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