Amari’i Bell admits Derrick Williams’ international call-up shows the quality of competition he faces for a spot in the Rovers team.

January signing Bell has made seven appearances, four as a starter, since joining from Fleetwood Town in the winter window.

He has had to be patient for opportunities, his chance in the team coming when Williams has been utilised in central defence or when Rovers have switched to a back three.

Williams has been an ever present since Tony Mowbray was appointed in February 2017 and his consistent performances were rewarded with his first senior international call-up over the weekend. The 25-year-old will aim to win his first cap when the Republic of Ireland travel to Turkey for a friendly on Friday night.

“It does show that (competition), he’s a great player,” Bell said. “When I came here I didn’t expect to come straight in the team and take his spot.

“I’m trying to stay focused and ready for when my time comes.

“Even though I’ve not been playing I need to stay prepared because there might be an injury or the manager might just chuck me on.”

Williams is one of three Rovers defenders to have been called up by their country, joining Darragh Lenihan (Republic of Ireland) and Charlie Mulgrew (Scotland).

Bell was regularly used in a wing-back role by former club Fleetwood and played 33 times for the Cod Army this season before his switch to Ewood Park.

He has impressed in his seven outings to date for Rovers, named as man-of-the-match on his debut in the 1-1 draw with Northampton Town on January 27.

An injury to full-back Ryan Nyambe could see Mowbray revert to a back three for the home game with Bradford City next week which could open up a spot for Bell at wing back and he hopes his flexibility can prove key in his quest for more appearances.

He added: “I have played there (wing back) for a few years now and it’s good to be able to play more than one position.

“If the manager wants to play me there then I can do that.

“You have to have a few tactics up your sleeve for each game.

“If you have to switch it up then we’re able to do that.”

Rovers are now in the middle of an enforced 19-day break from action after last Saturday’s game with Gillingham was postponed because of the weather.

This weekend’s clash with Doncaster Rovers has also been called off with Rovers having five players on international duty.

On the Gillingham trip, which was called off just over three hours from kick-off, the 23-year-old said: “You want to play, so to go all that way only for the game to be off everyone was a bit down.

“The game has been re-arranged though so hopefully when it comes back round we can do well in that one.

 “We now get to see the other teams who haven’t played as many games as us, their results, before we go again against Bradford.

“Every game is important now and we need to make sure we hit the ground running in all of them and look to pick up as many points as we can.”