CAPTAIN Grant Hanley has urged his team-mates to reward the blue-and-white-army heading to Brentford on Saturday with the victory that would propel Blackburn Rovers back into the top six.

Gary Bowyer’s side will be roared on by a bumper travelling support in their final away match before Christmas after selling more than 1,500 tickets for the big capital clash.

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Hanley is astounded at the backing Rovers continue to receive on the road.

And he knows the perfect way to recognise the latest example of the fans’ loyalty would be a win over the Bees.

The Rovers skipper said: “The fans have been brilliant, especially away from home.

“They follow us everywhere and they go in their numbers.

“It does make a massive difference and you’ve got to give them full credit.

“It’s going to be a difficult game on Saturday. They are doing well and have got a lot of good players.

“But it would be nice to for us to get a result, especially for the fans before Christmas.”

Rovers will move above fifth-placed Brentford if they make an immediate return to winning ways.

But Hanley accepts they will have to play a lot better than they did in going down 2-1 at home to Sheffield Wednesday last Saturday.

The disappointing defeat ended Rovers’ nine-game unbeaten run and Hanley hopes it will serve to refocus minds.

The centre back said: “We went nine unbeaten and it’s not been a bad start but in a couple of the games we nicked some goals late on.

“The defeat has set us back a bit so we’ve just got to get our mind set and make sure we’re fully focused on the job at hand – and that’s fighting for promotion.

“In the Championship you’ve got no time to feel sorry for yourself.

“Of course we were disappointed but we’ve gone straight back into training and we’re working toward putting it right by getting the three points on Saturday.”

With Rovers boss Bowyer down to just four fit and available defenders last Saturday Hanley was forced to play through the pain barrier against the Owls.

The Scotland international had barely trained in the lead up to the game after coming off with an ankle injury in the dramatic 1-1 draw at Middlesbrough the week before.

But Hanley never had any intention of sitting it out.

He said: “When you don’t train it’s always hard to get yourself going again.

“But I’ve struggled with injuries before and managed to play so it’s nothing new to me.

“Hopefully it will settle down now in time for Brentford.

“Playing in the Championship, and going away with Scotland as well, you never really have a chance to have a proper break.

“Games come thick and fast but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Knocks are part and parcel of football and the physios and sports science team at Blackburn give you the best chance to be fit for every game.”

Rovers have fewer than 100 tickets remaining for the trip to Griffin Park on Saturday.

There will be no ticket sales on the day.

Rovers have sold out all 4,265 tickets for their Boxing Day derby at Bolton Wanderers.