John Eustace Hints At Blackburn Exit After FA Cup Thrashing Of Middlesbrough 

The defender has not started a match for Rovers this season after re-signing in the summer. McFadzean played an important role in keeping the team up last term but his game time has dwindled since returning at the start of August.

There has been speculation linking the experienced defender with League Two teams. He was expected to start against Middlesbrough as part of a rotated team but instead was an unused substitute.

“I don’t want to lose Kyle, for sure. In the last year, whilst I’ve been here, he’s been top, top professional and a top performer,” Eustace admitted.

“His performances last season helped the team and the club stay in the league. He has been frustrated at the lack of opportunities and game time this season but the way he is around the group and how he trains is top draw.

“We have to be fair to Kyle as well. I think he’s now 38 and he wants to play football. It is something we will look at it in the next few days.

“He hasn’t said he wants to leave. But we have to respect Kyle and his age. If there is an opportunity for him to play then that’s something we have to consider.”

Rovers secured their passage into round four with a 1-0 win at Middlesbrough. It could’ve been more had they taken a number of presentable chances which fell to Andi Weimann and Harry Leonard.

The Austrian made amends though by scoring minutes later to secure Rovers’ route into the next round.

“I thought we were very good, we made positive changes albeit with only 13 senior players, we didn’t have much to choose from,” Eustace said with a smirk.

“I thought they did very well. Great to get some 16-year-olds on the bench and to give Harley (O’Grady-Macken) his debut. He has worked very hard to earn that so I am pleased for him and it again shows the fantastic job the Academy is doing.

“I am just happy we have won the game but we have to be more clinical, of course, we do. We created some very good chances but I’m happy we’re in the next round.

“Andi has been a top performer for many years so he doesn’t let things get him down (the miss). He was disappointed not to have scored but he then took his next one with a brilliant finish.

“I would’ve liked to have rest a few and some were ill. We were down to bare bones. We pride ourselves on being hard to play against and I felt our clean sheet was well deserved.

“We played some fantastic football without being clinical in the final third.”