When the news everyone feared was confirmed that Greg Cunningham would miss the rest of the season with a knee injury, well wishes were expressed, before thoughts turned to how Rovers would manage in his absence.

Amari'i Bell appeared to be the most obvious choice, a like-for-like replacement, a natural in the position, with his 38 appearances last season the most of any Rovers defender.

However, a knee injury ruled him out of action for the 2-2 draw with Huddersfield after the international break, and even on his return to fitness, Elliott Bennett was still preferred at left back for the defeat at Birmingham.

Bell was then given his chance against Preston, playing 90 minutes at left back, but the position changed hands again as Sheffield Wednesday rolled in to town.

This time it was Derrick Williams handed the left back berth, with Bennett switching to the right and Ryan Nyambe moving in to centre half.

That’s despite Williams stating his preference for playing in the heart of the back four, though having struggled against Preston seven days earlier, it felt a little like taking the Irishman out of the firing line.

He didn’t look particularly comfortable in possession further up the pitch, no real surprise given his previous 13 appearance had come as a centre half where he had looked more susceptible without Darragh Lenihan along him.

For Bell to be overlooked again, and soon to be heading in to the final six months of his deal, it seems left back will be high on Rovers' January transfer window priority list, with three different option used in the first four games of Cunningham’s absence.

Speaking in the wake of Cunningham's injury blow, boss Tony Mowbray said: "Amari’i has to step up and show he is a player that can get the job done for us.

"His opportunity is here and hopefully he’s going to do well."

Bell will undoubtedly get more opportunities, but it appears the manager is still to be convinced.

With the 25-year-old out of contract next summer, and loans for goalkeeper Christian Walton, central defender Tosin Adarabioyo and left back Greg Cunningham also expiring, as well as the weighing up of the future of Charlie Mulgrew, Rovers will have some forward planning on their minds.

They passed up the opportunity to strengthen at the back last January, but it would be hard to see them doing so again this time around.

Were Cunningham fit, the games against parent club Cardiff apart, he would surely have been a shoo-in at left back for the duration of his loan spell.

Rovers may well have to muddle through until January, but longer term, it’s an area to address.