Blackburn Rovers manager Tony Mowbray has provided a positive update on Northern Ireland star Tom Atcheson, saying the injury which kept him out of their most recent game is “a minor niggle” and not a long-term concern.

Atcheson started in all four of Northern Ireland’s Nations League matches throughout September and October, playing a key role to help Michael O’Neill’s men remain the sole side of 54 yet to concede a goal.

The 20-year-old worked with O’Neill during his stint as Blackburn’s interim manager last season and has once again been included for a double-header against Ukraine and Hungary later this month.

Atcheson was taken off at half-time as Rovers were beaten 4-0 by Swansea last weekend and missed Tuesday’s 2-1 home loss to Stoke City entirely.

placeholder image — Northern Ireland's Tom Atcheson (left) under pressure from Dominik Szoboszlai in the UEFA Nations League draw home to Hungary. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

His absence was a cause of concern for Northern Ireland fans with just over one week to go until Ukraine visit Windsor Park.

Atcheson has already developed into a key player for his country and will almost certainly be lined up to start in Belfast on November 14.

O’Neill will be without Sunderland’s Dan Ballard, who required surgery on an injury picked up during the last international break, while Eoin Toal will also sit out of both upcoming matches.

While Atcheson hasn’t been involved in training ahead of Rovers’ home clash against West Ham United on Saturday, Mowbray doesn’t see the youngster being sidelined for long.

"He's not training today, he'll have to train tomorrow (if he's to be included for match against West Ham United),” Mowbray told BBC Radio Lancashire. “I don't think he's a major concern for the medical department, I think it's a minor niggle that if he played could have turned into a major one.

"We didn't think it was worth the risk of playing him. If he trains tomorrow, we will make a decision."

In a further update on the club’s website, Mowbray revealed he’s also taking Atcheson’s international duties into account before making a final call.

“Big Tom has still got a little niggle in his groin, so it’s about whether we take a chance with him or not,” he said. “Whilst my first and only thought is Blackburn Rovers, he’s obviously a Northern Ireland (player) and has two games during the international break.”

Atcheson made 14 Championship appearances for Rovers last season – a large majority coming under O’Neill – and has played 10 times in the second tier this term after being rewarded with a new contract.