Steve Evans says there will be "no real surprises" in his team to face Blackburn Rovers on Thursday evening, but the head coach is hoping to have Jordan Botaka back in contention.

Botaka was due to start in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Bolton but was forced to miss out through illness, while Evans has also hinted at some involvement for Casper Sloth after the Danish midfielder impressed for the Under-21s earlier this week.

Providing team news ahead of Thursday’s clash, Evans said: “There are no real surprises. Those that are with us have been with us since the weekend.

“There’s also young Sloth who’ll be with us – he came through the Under-21s fixture fine.

“We’re hoping that Chris Wood will be alright – he felt a little bit sore after Bolton but should be okay. The rest are in good shape.”

Asked about a potential return for Botaka, the head coach added: “Is he 100 per cent? We’ll have another look at him today.

“He’s had a mild form of tonsillitis and we all know what comes with that – it’s not so nice.

“He came in and trained on Monday and we’ll have a little look ahead of tomorrow.”

Tommaso Bianchi, meanwhile, returned from a knee injury picked up in pre-season to complete just over an hour of Monday’s U21s draw with Bolton, and Evans says the midfielder is working his way back to fitness.

“He’s been out for a few months and we’re having to manage it,” he said. “He hasn’t been on the training ground a lot.

“But he’s into the matches now after playing for the U21s and he’s on a two-day recovery.

“He came through Monday’s game and he’s on the road to recovery, which is good.”