Tony Mowbray is confident of a reaction from his team at Bolton tomorrow - but admits it’s not too often he’s required one from his side.

Rovers lost just an 11th league game under Mowbray on Wednesday as their unbeaten home record came to an end against Sheffield United.

Not since August 2017 have Rovers lost back-to-back league matches and the boss hopes his side can go in to the international break on a positive note.

“There haven’t been many times that I’ve needed a reaction from them,” Mowbray said after defeat to the Blades.

“We’ve not lost many games in a long, long time so they’ve haven’t had to find a reaction that often.

“They are a great set of lads though and I have every confidence they will be ready to go on Saturday. You keep working hard, rolling on and keep going.

“Defeats are part and parcel of football and we have to react to that now.

“We were disappointed in the dressing room. I know how hard the players worked, but we were beaten by a team who were better than us on the night.”

Rovers welcomed back skipper Charlie Mulgrew on Wednesday as he played since first game since September 15 when coming off the bench at half-time.

Derrick Williams started in central defence on his return from a one match suspension, and their return could see Rovers move to a back three at the University of Bolton Stadium as they did in the second half of the Blades defeat. Ryan Nyambe (hamstring) will miss out again, with Joe Rothwell among those pushing for a starting berth.

Mowbray said after the midweek defeat that he wouldn’t look too much in to it, focusing instead on trying to put things right against a Bolton side who are one place below them in the table.

“Let’s not get carried away here.

“It’s our second defeat in 11 games,” the boss added.

“We’ll play against more good sides this season and we accept that defeats will be coming.

“We have to punish teams when we are in the ascendancy and hopefully we will do that.

“As we’ve said a few times this season, we probably haven’t accrued as many points as we’ve perhaps deserved from our performance levels.

“It would be nice to get three points and keep the tally ticking along.

“It’s around this time of the season after 11 or 12 games when the table begins to take shape.

“We do have to start picking up three point hauls along the way. I’m sure we will because we have the quality and spirit in the squad.

“Let’s keep the spirits high and not get too anxious from a defeat.”

Bolton will be without first choice ‘keeper Ben Alnwick who is out with a groin problem.