Team news | Blackburn Rovers v Swansea City

New signing Jamie Paterson is handed his Swansea City debut in Russell Martin’s first game in charge at Blackburn.

The attacking midfielder comes straight into the starting line-up following his arrival on a free transfer, and he is the only one of the club’s summer signings to start at Ewood Park, with Kyle Joseph on the bench.

Liam Walsh misses out through injury, but Matt Grimes returns to captain the side from midfield, while Joel Piroe is not included in the matchday squad.

Steven Benda starts in goal, behind a three-man defence of Ben Cabango, Ryan Bennett and Joel Latibeaudiere.

Kyle Naughton and Jake Bidwell take the wing-back roles, with Paterson joining Grimes and Korey Smith in midfield.

Jamal Lowe and Liam Cullen are tasked with leading the line for the Swans.

Young keeper Nico Defreitas-Hansen is among the substitutes with Ben Hamer absent following a positive test for Covid-19, while Lewis Webb has only just returned to training following a period of isolation.

Left-back Lincoln Mcfayden also appears in a senior matchday squad for the first time.

Blackburn Rovers: Thomas Kaminski, Ryan Nyambe, Harry Pickering, Daniel Ayala, Joe Rothwell, Sam Gallagher, Tyrhys Dolan, John Buckley, Ben Brereton Diaz, Darragh Lenihan (captain), Lewis Travis.

Substitutes: Jacob Davenport, Danny Butterworth, Hayden Carter, Connor McBride, Jake Garrett, Tyler Magloire, Jordan Eastham.

Swansea City: Steven Benda; Ben Cabango, Ryan Bennett, Joel Latibeaudiere; Kyle Naughton, Korey Smith, Jamie Paterson, Matt Grimes (captain), Jake Bidwell; Jamal Lowe, Liam Cullen.

Substitutes: Nico Defreitas-Hansen, Lincoln Mcfayden, Brandon Cooper, Yan Dhanda, Ollie Cooper, Morgan Whittaker, Kyle Joseph.