Tony Mowbray has confirmed Charlie Mulgrew and Derrick Williams won’t be going away on international duty with their respective countries after missing the 1-1 draw with Rotherham United.

Mulgrew hasn’t played for Rovers since being forced off in the draw at West Brom on October 27 with a rib injury.

The club’s medical team have been concerned about the closeness of the injury to Mulgrew’s liver, but he was still named in the Scotland squad ahead of matches with Albania and Israel later this month.

Mowbray said before the game that the 32-year-old wouldn’t be available for Scotland should he not play for Rovers, and he missed his second game in a row as Jack Rodwell was drafted in to deputise with Derrick Williams struggling with a hamstring problem.

Williams won’t now travel with the Republic of Ireland for games with Northern Ireland and Denmark, but Mowbray expects both to be back in contention for the trip to Preston on November 24.

“No, neither will Derrick,” Mowbray said when asked whether Mulgrew would link up with Scotland. 

“I think he (Mulgrew) will be able to do everything again in about 10 days time so will then get a week of training in time for the next game.

“There’s still a bit of damage there that will need repairing but it will only take a week or so.”

David Raya returned from injury to take his place in goal, having been fitted with a protective mask, but Rovers were forced in to more defensive changes through the absence of both Mulgrew and Williams.

Harrison Reed was then withdrawn at half time after taking a knock to the knee during the first half.

Dominic Samuel and Ben Gladwin (both knee) are longer-term absentees, while Jacob Davenport’s frustrating start to life at Ewood Park has continued.

The summer signing, who is yet to be involved in a matchday squad after two previous injury absences, suffered a thigh injury in training last week.

On the injury situation, the boss added: “Our skipper wasn’t available and Derrick who has been filling in for him wasn’t available either.

“So we had some big losses before the game and then obviously Harrison Reed is a loss as well.

“Reed got a knock on his knee, it’s come up in a big bruise but he will be fine, there’s no twist or strain, it was just an impact injury which affected his mobility.

“It didn’t seem to hinder us though.

“I’m pretty sure, almost 100 per cent sure, they will both be available.

“They were pretty close (for Rotherham).

“Hopefully we will have some decisions to make.”

Despite the absentees, Rovers managed to battle back from a goal behind to earn a point against Rotherham.

All three substitutes, particularly the half time introduction of Ryan Nyambe, back from a spell on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, played their part.

And Mowbray is hoping for more selection headaches when the action resumes at Preston after the international break.

“I think all the subs (made a difference), the bench looks pretty strong,” the boss said.

“And that’s without Mulgrew, Williams and Davenport who has pulled a thigh muscle in training, unfortunately for him.

“Never mind, the longer term injuries of Samuel and Gladwin.

“The squad is all right, even carrying the injuries we are we still looked pretty potent.

“We have a break now, and it would have been nice to go in to it with three points, but we take the point and move on.”