Tony Mowbray hopes Rovers can hit the ground running in a nine-game showdown to make the play-offs.

The Championship season has taken steps closer to restarting having this week returned to training, while the Premier League, a week further on in their preparations, voted unanimously to resume contact training.

Rovers, and the EFL, will be watching with interest, with the league board having met yesterday to discuss the next steps towards resuming the 2019/20 Championship season.

Rovers will test their players again today, ahead of a possible resumption next month, and an optimistic Mowbray said: “I look back over the season I think we’ve strung four wins on the bounce together.

“We’ve had consistent bits of form.  If we can hit a run of form like that over nine games, we’ve got every chance of making the play-offs.

“Every team is going to be in the same boat, but I believe a nine-game season is going to be about the inspiration you can give the team on any given matchday.

“You will pick up injuries, because the intensity is going to be like a cup competition over nine games that’s going to be played in a month probably, so you’ll probably be having two three-game weeks and two two-game weeks.

“So they’re going to come really thick and fast, and you’re going to have to dig right into your squad, but I do think it’s about the mentality on the day rather than the fitness.”

The Championship are set to follow suit with passing proposals for contact training to resume, having followed social distancing guidelines, and trained in groups of no more than five, so far.

That will put them on course for a mid-June start, similar to that of the Premier League who yesterday announced four positive tests, from three clubs, out of the 1,008 individuals who were tested.

The Championship results from the second round of testing are yet to be announced, with Rovers players and staff set to be tested for a third time today.

In the first round of Championship testings, two positive tests, out of 1,014, were recorded, both from Hull City.

A statement form the Premier League yesterday read: "Premier League shareholders today voted unanimously to resume contact training, marking another step towards restarting the Premier League season, when safe to do so.

"Squads are now able to train as a group and engage in tackling while minimising any unnecessary close contact.

"The Premier League's priority is the health and wellbeing of all participants.

"Strict medical protocols are in place to ensure the training ground is the safest environment possible and players and staff will continue to be tested for Covid-19 twice a week.

"Stage Two of the Return to Training protocol has been agreed following consultation with clubs, players, managers, the PFA, LMA and the Government.

"Discussions are ongoing as work continues towards resuming the season, when conditions allow."