Blackburn have been in contention for a Championship play-off place for much of the season.

But if they are to secure a spot in the top six, Rovers will need their key players to step up when it matters most — starting with tonight's trip to Preston. 

Going into this Lancashire derby, the visitors sit ninth in the table, six points off the top six with a game in hand on Luton, Sheffield United and Millwall.

With time running out, Tony Mowbray's side will probably need to win all of their remaining three matches to stand a chance of landing a play-off spot. 

Read on as we pick out the three men who could be crucial to their hopes. 

Ben Brereton Diaz

Without Ben Brereton Diaz's goals, Rovers would be nowhere near a top-six finish this season. 

The Chile international has 21 Championship strikes from 34 appearances and is thankfully fit again after a worrying ankle injury kept him out for seven weeks from the end of February.

Mowbray's side were tipped to improve significantly upon his return to action. 

But in the four league games since the striker has been available following his comeback against Coventry on April 2, they have yet to win. 

The 23-year-old is at least back among the goals after he registered in the 2-1 defeat at Peterborough last week and it is fairly obvious they will need their main man up front firing again.

Darragh Lenihan

Centre-back Darragh Lenihan has been a mainstay in Blackburn's defence this season, starting 39 of the 43 league games so far. 

The Republic of Ireland international, like most good defenders, reads the game very well, is strong in the air and has also weighed in with two goals and an assist in the final third. 

Mowbray will need the experienced 28-year-old, who has now played 250 games for the club, to be at his solid best in the matches that remain against Preston, Bournemouth and Birmingham.

Joe Rothwell

Midfielder Joe Rothwell has been a key component in the engine room and, like Lenihan, has started all but four games in the Championship this season. 

The 27-year-old ace can dictate games from the middle of the park and is adventurous running with the ball when moving forward, adding a nice creative edge, while he can also sit in and protect the backline when necessary. 

Rothwell did not feature in the recent defeat to Posh and was then only a half-time substitute in the disappointing 1-0 loss against Stoke.

However, he is expected to be back in the side this evening and Rovers may well need his guile and midfield know-how to get them over the line.