Tony Mowbray is embracing the competition within his squad but is keen to see players lay claim to shirts in the starting line-up.

The boss is yet to name an unchanged team this season but six players have started every Championship fixture.

The main changes have come in attack with Rovers averaging less than a goal a game. Sam Gallagher and Adam Armstrong have both been used as central strikers, and on the right wing, with Danny Graham also an option up front.

Joe Rothwell is among the attacking players keen to get his chance in the side, and Mowbray admitted: “I think moving forward we have to decide where we’re going with some good players.

“Our wide attackers, who’s playing? Our centre forwards, who’s playing? That’s key.

“You look at left back, Greg Cunningham has come in and Amari’i Bell has found himself on the outside.

“Why? Because we’re trying to improve and get better and get to a stage where in every position you are getting challenged and someone is chomping at the bit to get in the team.”

Five of Mowbray’s six signings have been regulars in the side, with Christian Walton starting every game in goal, Bradley Johnson a fixture in central midfield, Gallagher an ever present up front, while Stewart Downing has started five of the six matches and left back Cunningham now established at left back.

Rovers’ other summer addition, Manchester City loanee Tosin Adarabioyo, has just a sole appearance to his name at Fulham on August 10. But the 21-year-old is back fit again after a month on the sidelines and in contention to return to the squad when Rovers host Millwall this afternoon.

With club captain Charlie Mulgrew having been loaned out to Wigan, Darragh Lenihan and Derrick Williams have struck up a decent understanding as the central defensive pair.

Mowbray feels Adarabioyo will become a key player for the team over the course of the season, but believes he has good options in the heart of the defence.

“I think in central defence there is that,” the boss added.

“I think Ryan Nyambe is genuine competition. He played as a centre half in the Africa Cup of Nations.

“Tosin showed his qualities against Fulham in my opinion but he has missed a good few weeks.

“We’ll wait and see, but he’s back on the grass, he looks very talented, we will just make a call as we move forward.

“We have to keep him fit because he’ll become a big player for us I’m sure.”

Rovers’ competition has also been boosted by the return to fitness of left back Sam Hart, winger Harry Chapman and striker Dominic Samuel who have all become regulars for Billy Barr’s Under-23s side of late.

The trio are all expected to feature once again for the Academy side when they travel to Goodison Park to play Everton on Monday.

Jacob Davenport is also set for some minutes with the Under-23s after two months out with an ankle injury sustained in a behind closed doors game with Macclesfield Town.

That leaves just Ben Brereton (knee) and Dan Butterworth (back) as injury concerns.