Tony Mowbray says his players must keep believing they can climb the Championship table despite slipping to 18th after a 2-1 defeat at Leeds United.

Rovers have now lost half of their 16 league matches this season, and fell to a fourth straight away defeat at Elland Road after goals from Patrick Bamford and Jack Harrison.

Derrick Williams pulled a goal back just before half-time, but Rovers couldn’t find another late comeback as they headed in to the international break having taken just four points from the last 15 available.   

Mowbray men’s have also lost four on the bounce away from Ewood Park, but the boss feels performance levels indicate things can turn in their favour.

“Is it a concern? I judge the team on their performance levels,” Mowbray told the Lancashire Telegraph.

“No-one likes losing football matches. If we were getting rolled over easily every game then that would be a concern but I don’t think that’s the case.

“I think they still believe, they keep pushing hard. If we can stick three back-to-back wins together we’ll be right back in the mix and I think that’s what we have to keep believing that we’re not far away.

“We need to reverse that and be saying we’ve won six out of eight and then suddenly you’re on the cusp of the play-offs. That’s this league.

“Anyone can beat anyone and we just have to keep going.”

Rovers will hope to have Darragh Lenihan back fit after the international break when they return to action against bottom club Barnsley on November 23.

Lenihan has missed the last five matches with an injury picked up at QPR last month, a game where  Rovers also lost on-loan full back Greg Cunningham for the season.

Mowbray feels Lenihan’s return will be a big plus as he looks to get back to the defensive form that saw Rovers picked up four clean sheets in their opening six matches.

“I do know that we had four clean sheets in our first six games, but those players haven’t been there,” Mowbray added.

“How important is one player missing for six weeks? Pretty important I’d say when he’s your main defender. We’re trying to get by.

“Nyambe is a young boy who is doing his very best.

“It’s hard to take when you don’t get anything, but it’s another defeat, it’s frustrating, but we have to get on with things.”

Rovers will be without four senior players during the international break because of international commitments.

Goalkeeper Jayson Leutwiler has been named in the Canada squad for their game against the USA, with Corry Evans in the Northern Ireland squad for their Euro 2020 double-header with the Netherlands and Germany.

Williams, who netted his third goal of the season against Leeds, also kept his place in the Republic of Ireland squad as they prepare to host New Zealand and Denmark.

Ryan Nyambe is also in the Namibia squad for the first time since the Africa Cup of Nations and is expected to feature in games against Chad and Guinea this week.