Rovers lost another left back option to injury – but it was Bradley Dack that was on Tony Mowbray’s mind after the defeat to Leeds United.

Mowbray was already without regular left back Amari’i Bell and Derrick Williams, plus Joe Rankin-Costello who filled in there against Bristol City, and then lost captain Elliott Bennett to injury midway through the first half against Leeds.

Stewart Downing, who had started on the bench for just a sixth time this season, was brought on in his place, one of six players who have played in that position this season.

However, after missing chances in front of goal, it was the absence of attacker Dack, Rovers’ top scorer in each of the previous two seasons, that was on the mind of Mowbray.

Lewis Travis had shaken off a knee injury to start, albeit replaced in the second half, with fellow midfielder Corry Evans sidelined with a broken toe, and while Mowbray said he wasn't using injuries as an excuse, he did admit that Dack's absence was a blow.

“If Bradley Dack had been in those positions, we would have scored two or three goals, he doesn’t miss. Left foot, right foot, side-foots it in the corner, bends it around the ‘keeper,” Mowbray said.

“Quality takes those chances, the ball is in the back of the net.

“Never mind left back, what about the person who scores the most goals for us every season since he’s been here.

“Those people are important to us.

“Travis came back, he looked a bit rusty. Is he carrying that medical knee ligament injury? Maybe.

“Corry Evans, how much of a miss is he?

“Injuries, I don’t want to moan about them, but you miss your better players when they don’t play, and we strive and we push and we work, and I shout like an idiot on the sideline trying to drive them on.

“You don’t really want to hear the manager screaming at you for 90 minutes, sometimes young players need driving, encouragement, setting the standards high.

“Leeds’ physical stats were high, it’s not a crime to run and all I’m trying to do is get our team to lift the bar so when we go anywhere we expect to out-run, out-work, out-fight and hopefully if we can get the right quality on the pitch, win football matches.”

There is a chance that Rankin-Costello could shake off his hamstring problem to return against Cardiff City, with Bennett to be assessed ahead of the trip to south Wales.