BLACKBURN Rovers boss Gary Bowyer will lead Blackburn Rovers into another testing month of Championship combat buoyed by the performances they produced in September.

But Bowyer has admitted both he and his players are disappointed that they did not accrue more than five points from their last four matches.

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After going down to a harsh defeat at Fulham Rovers drew at QPR, beat Charlton Athletic at Ewood Park, before snatching a share of the spoils at Hull City last weekend.

Their three-game unbeaten run has lifted them out of the relegation places and up to the 18th in the standings.

But, going into this Saturday’s showdown with Ipswich Town, which is followed later in the month by further home clashes against big-spending Derby County and bitter rivals Burnley, and a trip to Leeds United, they remain just one point above the bottom three.

And Bowyer, who has a series of injury concerns ahead of the visit of last season’s beaten play-off semi-finalists Ipswich, said: “I think the performances first and foremost in September have been very good. The fixture list wasn’t kind to us with three of them being away from home.

“But we’re disappointed with the points tally. That’s a sign of the potential that this group has got because to have three games away from home and to be disappointed not to have more points just shows the progress that we’re making.

“On Saturday I think we saw another side to the group. The performances in September and at the beginning of the season with the ball have been very good, but on Saturday we had to dig deep against a very experienced Hull side.

“If you look at the changes they made and who they brought on, and who they didn’t bring on, they’ve got a strong squad and we matched them.

“Now we’ve got to get through the Ipswich game and then the break will come at a good time for us because it does go to show the effect the embargo has on you because of the injuries you can have.”

Bowyer has space for two loan signings under the terms of the club’s embargo for failing Financial Fair Play.

Before taking on the Tigers he saw a deal for a winger from a rival Championship club fall through.

But Bowyer admitted after the 1-1 draw that he may have to reassess his opinion on where his squad needs strengthening after he lost players before and during the match.

Rovers went into the Hull encounter with just two fit and available recognised senior centre-backs – captain Grant Hanley and Shane Duffy, who are both one booking away from a one-game suspension – after Matt Kilgallon felt his hamstring in a behind-closed-doors friendly last week.

Striker Fode Koita (leg) also missed the KC Stadium encounter, although Bowyer is hopeful he will be fit on Saturday, while midfielder Danny Guthrie (thigh) and forward Tom Lawrence (cramp) limped off.

Jason Lowe is set for a lengthy lay-off after undergoing a second operation on his foot on Tuesday.

But fellow midfielder Chris Taylor is hoping to be involved against Ipswich after playing and scoring for the U21s on Monday.