Rovers boss Tony Mowbray wants his side to ‘keep believing’ as they go in search of a fourth consecutive win when Derby County arrive at Ewood Park tomorrow.

Wins over Barnsley, Brentford and Stoke City moved Rovers in to the top half, and they have won each of their last three home matches.

They host a Derby side who have struggled for consistency this term having been beaten play-off finalists last year.

The Rams lost manager Frank Lampard to Chelsea, while three influential loan players, Mason Mount, Fikayo Tomori and Harry Wilson all returned to their former clubs.

Rovers won the corresponding fixture between the sides in April, but Mowbray knows plenty has changed at Derby since then.

“They have changed a fair bit, their manager has left to go to Chelsea, their ‘best players’, most influential players have moved back to their parent clubs and are playing in the Premier League now,” he said. 

“They were good players in the league last year. In Derby’s defence they might not be as potent as last year but they still have some good players, Lawrence, Holmes, Waghorn, Marriott, Martin, some decent footballers.

“We have to be mindful of their strengths.

“For us the message is to keep believing, keep pushing hard, working hard and make sure Derby know they’ve been in a game at the end of 90 minutes.”

Rovers have another three games in seven days, but Mowbray’s attentions are all focused on tomorrow’s game before trips to Swansea and Bristol City, given the unpredictability of the division.

He added: “I think we have to focus on the first game that is Derby at home, a big club with big expectation.

“They don’t have the level of quality players they had last year when you look at the young loan players that are now playing in the Premier League every week.

“It’s a test for us, a challenge.

“We have shown we can get beat by two teams who were in League One last year, anyone can beat anyone.

“We beat a team (Brentford) who three days later went and beat one of those teams (Luton) 7-0.

“It’s the next game.

“It doesn’t matter about the badge on the shirt, the name on the back or the colour of the shirt, I’m not interested, its 11v11 and let’s go and show them how much we want to win.”