Blackburn Rovers caretaker manager Eric Black has revealed that Leon Best is on the road to recovery.

The 26-year-old joined Rovers from Newcastle United in the summer, but he has yet to make his debut for the club after injuring his knee in pre-season.

"It's going according to plan and that's credit to him because he's worked exceptionally hard. When it's a long-term injury like that it's very difficult to be focused every day but, certainly from what I've seen, he deserves a lot of credit," Black told Sky Sports News.

"He's a tough boy who wants to do the work properly and he'll reap the benefits of that hopefully nearer the end of the injury term.I think we can dismiss him for the time being and look to the new year. I've been involved with three or four players who've had cruciate ligament [injuries).

"It takes time and even though the whole medical process is finished, it still takes a little bit of time to come back in. The sooner we get him back the better, but we won't be rushing him just for the sake of getting him back."

Best scored four goals for Newcastle last season.