Paul Downing says he could consider his Rovers future in January – but acknowledges his fortunes could change before then.

Downing made just a second start of the season against Sheffield Wednesday last weekend, seven days after not being in the squad for the defeat at Preston.

He faces a battle for his shirt at Middlesbrough today, with Darragh Lenihan back fit, and has also faced the extra competition of Jack Rodwell so far this season.

The 27-year-old, who signed permanently in January from MK Dons after an initial loan spell, sees his deal run until the summer, with the option of a further 12 months.

On his future, the defender said: “I think we’ve seen football change quickly.

“I wasn’t in the squad at Preston, was on the bench at Wigan and almost came on when Jack went down and then I start on the Saturday.

“You can’t look too far ahead in football, you work for the next game and that takes care of itself.

“Maybe when January comes and the window is open there will have been three or four weeks since then and I’m always able to go in and talk to the manager, he’s made that clear.

“I have a good relationship with him and we will see how it goes on where my future goes on.”

Downing has turned out three times for Rovers Under-23s in a bid to maintain his match fitness having only featured in the matchday squad in half of Rovers’ 20 Championship fixtures.

The former Walsall man has been happy to get whatever minutes he can under his belt given his lack of involvement on the first team scene.

Boss Tony Mowbray admits it could have been easy for Downing to sulk, having gone from a regular last season to a fringe player this, but commended his attitude.

And Downing added: “I think for me as a defender it’s important that I keep that match fitness.

“You can only do so much training.

“Damien has been really good with me, he’s allowed me to play when I wanted to.

“I’ve been to games at Sheffield United and Manchester City and I just want to get out there.

“When you do the training I don’t want to just sit around all weekend, I want to have that match sharpness and I felt that has stood me in good stead for the matches I’ve played for the first team.

“It’s good that I’ve had that opportunities to do that.”

Rovers are heading in to a busy, and challenging, period of the season with five of the current top six on their fixture list in their next six matches.

They do so after a morale boosting win over the Owls, but are on their travels today for the first time since being beaten 4-1 and 3-1 at Preston and Wigan respectively.

They haven’t kept a clean sheet on the road since October, and face a Middlesbrough side who have the best defence in the division.

Whether he keeps his place or not, he knows the hosts will also pose a big threat going forward.

He added: “I think especially probably away from home, getting back to being solid and making it difficult for teams.

“They have a good defensive record, judging by the stats, so it’s important we keep it tight at the other end.

“You are going to have to do that away at Middlesbrough, you’re going to have to be aggressive, win aerial duels, that’s one of their main strengths.

“Everyone is going to have to muck in and help get the job done.”