Charlie Mulgrew praised the work ethic and professionalism of defensive partner Paul Downing and fellow Scot Craig Conway after their returns to the side.

Downing and Conway have come in from the cold to start Rovers’ last two matches in which they have chalked up four points.

Boss Tony Mowbray rewarded the pair for their performances against Sheffield Wednesday with a second consecutive start at Middlesbrough.

And although they have both been short of appearances this season, captain Mulgrew says their hard work around the Brockhall training base hasn’t gone unnoticed.

“He was brilliant,” Mulgrew said of Downing’s performance against Boro.

“He’s shown a brilliant attitude as well.

“He’s in the building late in the afternoon working hard and that doesn’t go unnoticed.

“It shows where hard work can get you and he’s done well.”

“They are both top professionals.

“They got their head down and work hard in training.

“They are great to have around the changing room and when they come in to the side and do what they have then we’re thankful to have them.”

Rovers are in the midst of a tough run of games, facing sides in the top nine in all of their fixtures within the next month.

Mulgrew says they will use the old adage of one game at a time, but says there is a confidence within the dressing room they can compete in each fixture.

He added: “We go in to every game thinking we can win and the next one is always the most important.

“We had a game-plan for Middlesbrough, we will look at things we could have done better and then look to move forward and the next challenge.

Rovers were denied a clean by a stunning Britt Assombalonga strike, but Mulgrew felt by and large they dealt well with the threat posed by Middlesbrough.

“We had to defend those long throws, everyone put their head on things and scrambled things away,” said Mulgrew whose first half free kick handed Rovers the lead.

“We knew what was coming and defended most of them.

“That was a disappointing thing that they scored from such a great finish which is one of those things.”