Blackburn boss Paul Lambert insists striker Chris Brown still has a role to play at the club despite his lack of first team opportunities this season.

The 30-year-old has not featured for Rovers since the Capital One Cup defeat to Shrewsbury in August, but he did return to the substitutes’ bench last weekend against Sheffield Wednesday after recovering from knee surgery.

In total, the former Sunderland player has made 20 league appearances without scoring for the Lancashire club, but Lambert believes the forgotten front man still has a future at Ewood Park.

He said: “I knew Chris Brown from a long time ago and he’s a handful. He’s an absolute handful. He might not start every game but if he gets in the team and plays well then it’s up to him from there.”

The former Aston Villa boss insists he would have no trepidation in throwing the former Doncaster striker into the starting XI, despite his last league start coming in a 2-2 draw against Birmingham in April.

He continued: “But he’s definitely a handful. He’s something different and, for a big lad, he’s got a really good touch. I know he is somebody I can use without any trepidation whatsoever.”

Brown is one of 11 Rovers players out of contract at the end of the season and he will be hoping to get a chance to impress in their next match away at Bristol City on Saturday.

Rovers are available at 2.70 to win the clash, while the Robins are on offer at 2.60 and the draw is 3.25.