ROVERS boss Tony Mowbray believes Paul Downing’s composure has helped soften the blow of the loss of Darragh Lenihan to injury.

Downing has helped Rovers keep six clean sheets in his eight appearances since signing on a season-long loan deal from MK Dons on transfer deadline day.

Lenihan hasn’t played for Rovers since the opening day defeat at Southend and underwent surgery on a stress fracture to a metatarsal which is set to keep him sidelined for at least another month.

But Downing’s performance in his eight outings alongside Charlie Mulgrew have meant Rovers haven’t missed the Irishman quite as much as was feared when the severity of his injury became clear.

“I knew he was a composed football player and could pass the ball out from the back,” Mowbray said when asked if Downing had exceeded expectations.

“Without being massively dominant in the air he’s competitive and I would have to say the assuredness and calmness that he brings has been good for the team.

“He’s a different player to Darragh who’s more one-on-one powerful, covers the ground quickly and is more power and athleticism whereas Paul brings composure.

“Lenihan allows us to play higher up the pitch and press higher, Paul is more thoughtful.

“The balance of the backline is okay, the goalkeeper is helping the situation with (Richie) Smallwood in front of them, so it’s getting a balance right.

“You can’t say any negatives about Paul Downing, he has come in and got on with his job and we’re delighted that he’s doing that.”

Rovers have now kept eight clean sheets in 16 league games so far this season, including four in eight away trips.

They boast the best defensive record on their travels in the EFL, with just four goals conceded, a statistic they will put on the line against play-off chasing Oxford United tonight.

Downing’s arrival in East Lancashire, in the closing stages of the summer transfer window, has added a much needed option in the centre of Rovers’ defence, with Mowbray delighted with his start.

He added: “I remember having those conversation with his advisors and basically could he get in the car and come up.

“It was tight on time so he signed his contract at Stadium:MK and got it all emailed over and signed and done that way.

“He arrived here at 1am, the paperwork had all been done and I stayed after the time to shake his hand and settle him in at the hotel.

“He’s a normal guy, wanting to do well in his football career.

“I had him as a 16-year-old at West Brom so I knew what he did. He used to play holding midfield then but he always had the composure to pick the right pass.

“I have seen him develop as a central defender at Walsall, particularly in the one season when they did exceptionally well.

“I’ve been pleased with him, hope he’s enjoying his football and it was important for us after the loss of the Lenihan to find a player that could slot in and he allows us to do that.”