Tony Mowbray isn’t getting worked up about systems and formations as he plots a way to overcome Huddersfield Town this weekend.

Rovers will have to do without the services of central defender Darragh Lenihan for up to eight weeks after his injury at QPR, while loanee Greg Cunningham may have played his last game for the club after suffering a serious knee ligament injury at Loftus Road.

Tosin Adarabioyo and Amari’i Bell look the most likely to deputise for the injured Irish pair, with Rovers hoping Derrick Williams comes through his international involvement with Republic of Ireland unscathed.

Mowbray has trialled a three-man defence once this season, and his options to do that appear limited with Lenihan sidelined.

But the boss is instead focusing on the principles of play within his side as they look to end a three-game wait for a win.

He said: “I tell the team that formations don’t really matter and that it’s their energy, drive and passion to close down and play in possession that drives our team to win games.

“We have to develop lots of different ways to play in order to change games, given the personnel we’ve got at the club now.

“I’ve been trying to drip the selection conundrum into the players for a while now.

“I think footballers can be quite delicate at times regarding whether they’re playing or not.

“Managing is tough because you’re forced to make difficult decisions regarding who you leave out of the squad of 18 players.

“All of their opportunities will come because it’s a long, hard season and we’re going to need everyone together and alert so that when those who aren’t currently in the side get their game time, they need to grab it with both hands.”

With injuries to Lenihan and Cunningham, Rovers have had just three players, Jayson Leutwiler (Canada), Derrick Williams (Republic of Ireland) and Corry Evans (Northern Ireland) away on international duty.

The trio will report back to Brockhall on Thursday as preparations step up for the visit of the Terriers, who have won their last two games under new manager Danny Cowley after a poor start cost Jan Siewert his job.

Rovers went in to the international break on the back of a 4-2 defeat at QPR, with Huddersfield the start of a three game week that includes a trip to Birmingham City and a Lancashire derby with Preston North End.