Derrick Williams revealed he is up for the challenge of maintaining his spot in the Rovers team after making a first start since the opening day in the 0-0 draw at Derby County.

Williams has found it hard to win his place back after overcoming a foot injury which meant he missed six matches.

His chance at Derby came in central defence, at the expense of captain Charlie Mulgrew who missed out through illness, as Rovers battled their way to a point.

It was a first start in the heart of the Rovers defence since April for Williams, who has seen Amari’i Bell take his place at left back.

And the Irishman says that is an indication of the strength within Tony Mowbray’s squad, with Williams having started 61 of Rovers’ last 62 matches prior to his injury.

“It’s been frustrating a bit but these things happen in football,” said the 25-year-old.

“Football changes so quickly, you have to stay focused and not let it get you down too much.

“I came back pre-season strong, really fit and just picked up that niggle.

“But that’s football, I just have to keep working hard and putting the pressure on the lads in the team and try and work my way back in.

“You have to stay positive and get behind the lads.

“It’s a team sport and I’ll be the biggest fan if I’m not playing, helping in the dressing room, trying to give advice.

“I will work hard and wait for my chance, as Belly has done, there’s competition all over the pitch now. That’s only healthy and will only get the best out of us. ”

Mulgrew, meanwhile, missed his first match of the season through illness in midweek.

Mowbray gave the 32-year-old time to recover ahead of Saturday’s trip to Stoke City and the Scotland international is expected to train today.

The Rovers boss said: “Charlie came into my office on Monday and I hadn’t seen him for a few days because he’d had a tummy bug and hadn’t eaten for a day-and-a-half.

“I told him to go home and that we’d see him on Thursday.

“I’ve been a footballer who has had an illness and thinks he could play.

“But I’m not sure a half-fit Charlie Mulgrew would have done what a fully-fit Derrick Williams did at the intensity required.”

While Williams thought his chance may have come at left back, he was pleased his versatility proved decisive in him getting a spot in the team.

Williams added: “I think that was good for me that I can play in that position and it gives me another chance to get into the starting XI.

“I haven’t played centre back for a while now so at the start I felt a bit odd but slowly got in to it.

“Me and Darragh (Lenihan) got better as the game went on and considering how long it’s been since I played there I was happy with the clean sheet.”

Rovers were forced in to plenty of defensive work against a Derby side who were rampant in the first half.

That forced Mowbray in to a 32nd minute tactical switch as Danny Graham replaced Craig Conway.

The alteration helped stem the tide and Rovers returned to East Lancashire with a point.

“They started really well, on the front foot, and every time we got the ball they were in our faces and made it tough for us,” Williams added.

“I think we got stuck in between two ways of playing and played in to their hands.

“At half time we said we needed to get it together, play our game. We brought on Danny and he made such a big difference for us, he held the ball up and took a lot of pressure of us.

“We did well then to hold out. To come here and get a clean sheet, you will take that all day.

“They made it difficult for us so to come and hold out like we did was very good and we’re pleased with that, but know we need to work on our performance on the ball.”