Midfielder Chris Taylor admits he cannot wait to be involved with the Blackburn Rovers first team once again as he closes in on a return from injury.

The 28-year-old injured his groin in training as he prepared to face Leeds United last Easter and had to go under the surgeon’s knife to correct the problem.

He has not played for the first team since but did score during a 45-minute run-out in a behind-closed-doors friendly with Fleetwood Town last week.

The former Oldham man came through that work-out unscathed and was back in action on Monday night, with another goal for the club’s Under-21s as they beat Brighton 3-0 at Ewood Park.

The talented playmaker played 75 minutes of that match and is clearly close to being available for selection – something that cannot come too soon.

“I’m itching to get out there for the first team – like you wouldn’t believe,” he said. “Being out there again at Ewood felt really good.

“I’m just glad to be back and you don’t release just how much you miss it until you can’t play.”

Gary Bowyer’s men currently sit 18th in the Championship table having endured a tough start to their campaign and they will look for just their second win of the season when Ipswich arrive on Saturday.

Taylor would love to be involved but knows that it is all down to the boss.

“That’s a call for the gaffer to make. All I can do is do what I’ve done tonight and that’s put in a decent performance,” he added. “I felt good and I’m sure that will get back to him and we’ll take it from there.”

Rovers are priced at 2.20 to beat the East Anglians who can be backed at 3.20 to take all three points.