Jayson Leutwiler praised the Rovers back four as they ensured he enjoyed a comfortable afternoon in the win over QPR.

The Canadian made a rare appearance in deputising for the injured David Raya and didn’t have a save to make as Rovers won 1-0.

The win came courtesy of an 87th minute Bradley Dack penalty, a result which moved them up to eighth in the Championship table with 16 games played.

Leutwiler was making just his sixth Rovers appearance, and only second in the league, having joined from Shrewsbury Town in the summer of 2017.

Rovers were without captain Charlie Mulgrew because of injury, and Leutwiler said: “I think the back four was enormous.

“They were fantastic and I didn’t have a shot to save all game so it showed how hard they worked.

“It was a really team effort out there.

“Charlie was missing through his injury but it shows the character and options we have in the team that whoever plays we stick together and can do well.”

A decision will be made early this week as to whether Raya will have surgery on a broken nose and facial injury picked up in the draw at West Brom.

Tony Mowbray hasn’t ruled out the Spaniard featuring against Rotherham United at Ewood Park on Saturday in a protective mask should surgery not be required.

Twenty-nine-year-old Leutwiler played four times for Rovers in the FA Cup last season and made a first appearance since April.

He added: “It was very enjoyable. I was very excited to play and couldn’t wait for it and it was a very good day.

“I was very happy that the gaffer trusted me.

“It was a good day for everyone.

“I’ve been waiting for this opportunity, my last league game was Charlton (in April) so it has been a while.

“I’ve been working hard every day on the training ground and when the chance comes to do all right.

“It wasn’t maybe the best game that we’ve played but it’s three points and that’s good.”

Whether he keeps his place or not, Leutwiler says the spirit within the camp makes Rovers a good place to be, demonstrated by their performances on matchdays.

“We will see what happens next week,” the ‘keeper said.

“If I have to play one game then I will, but if I have to play 20 then I will do that as well.

“That’s the spirit of the group. I’ve been here for nearly 18 months now and the spirit of the team is unbelievable.

“Everyone is happy with each other, work hard for each other and you can see that when someone loses the ball then someone is willing to work back and chase the ball for them.”

Raya sustained the nasty looking injury when sliding off his line to collect a loose ball, only to be caught by the trailing leg of striker Jay Rodriguez.

And Leutwiler was keen to pass on his well wishes to the 23-year-old, adding: “I felt sorry for him.

“I had a very similar injury the other year and it’s not nice.

“He’s all right now and that’s the main thing.

“Mentally, there’s a few things, how it affects you. I don’t want to talk for him, everyone is different but he will be all right.”