Tony Mowbray hopes Christian Walton will continue to reward his January show of faith after sticking by the Brighton loanee.

Rovers opted against recruiting another goalkeeper in January, and retained the services of the 24-year-old who has started every league game so far this season and kept a 10th clean sheet of the season in the win over Hull.

Mowbray has stressed the need to recruit new goalkeepers having sold previous No.1 David Raya to Brentford last summer, with Walton brought in after other targets proved unattainable.

But Mowbray felt it was important to stick by Walton for the rest of the season and hopes Rovers’ improved defensive record can continue.

“I’ve had some good chats with Christian, he’s had some spells where questions have been asked,” he said.

“I think in this window Brighton phoned and asked if were sending him back or keeping him.

“I sat him down and said he was going to be our goalie and have total faith in him and I think that’s what he needed, to know the manager was supporting him.

“I’ve never been one for chopping and changing my goalies. They are allowed to make mistakes or soft goals go in, as long as they’ve got the character and show their personality to keep making saves and coming for crosses and be the goalie we want them to be.

“I’m delighted for Christian because there have been spells where he’s let soft goals in but he’s rewarding his.

“It’s 10 clean sheets now and hopefully a few more before the end of the season.”