Championship side Blackburn Rovers have unveiled Emmanuel Dennis’ squad number as the Nigerian international prepares for a potential debut in the coming days, if not hours.
The Super Eagles forward will don the number 42 jersey if he makes his competitive first-team debut on Sunday afternoon, when Blackburn Rovers face Premier League opponents Wolverhampton Wanderers in the fourth round of the Emirates FA Cup.
Dennis was given a chance to improve his match fitness the day after completing a deadline-day loan move from Nottingham Forest, featuring in the first half of a 2-1 defeat to Athletic Bilbao in a rearranged Premier League International Cup match at Accrington Stanley’s Wham Stadium.
The last time the Nigerian forward played first-team football was on April 27, 2024, when he played 45 minutes in Watford’s Championship encounter with Sunderland.
At club level, the number 42 appears to be Dennis’ preferred kit number, as he has worn it during his time at Zorya Lugansk and for four seasons with Belgian side Club Brugge.
The Super Eagles star also wore the number 43 jersey during his loan spell at Cologne in the second half of the 2020-2021 season.
During his stints at Watford and Nottingham Forest, Dennis sported the number 25, while at Basaksehir FK, he played with the number 99 on his back.
Blackburn Rovers’ number 42 jersey became available following the departure of Chelsea academy graduate Lewis Baker, who returned to Stoke City last month.
In the past, the number 42 kit at Blackburn Rovers has been worn by Rory Finneran, Deyovaisio Zeefuik, Joe Rankin-Costello, Lewis Travis, Kellen Daly, Sebastian Usai, and Rostyn Griffiths.
