Rovers boss Tony Mowbray plans to discuss the prospect of bringing in defensive reinforcements with owners Venky’s.

Mowbray and finance director Mike Cheston had previously outlined the expectation was for a quiet January transfer window, while the manager had said they would look to work with the options they already had after the injury to Scott Wharton.

An Achilles problem is set to sideline the 23-year-old for the remainder of the season, but with Derrick Williams now facing an extended period out with a quadriceps problem, and Daniel Ayala having struggled for fitness since signing, it forced Bradley Johnson to play at centre half in the defeat to Stoke City on Saturday.

Rovers have already used six different central defensive pairings this season, and while Ryan Nyambe is another option, injuries to Joe Rankin-Costello and Elliott Bennett leave them light at right back.

On the prospect of a signing, Mowbray told the Lancashire Telegraph: “I have to talk to the owners and the executives about January and what they think.

“Are we going to try and cover a position where we’ve got two left-footed centre halves, first-team footballers, unavailable, or is Bradley Johnson enough cover there if Ayala or Lenihan don’t play?

“We need to look at that pretty acutely and make a decision.

“We’ll do that over the next week or two and see what happens in January.”

Mowbray hopes to have Ayala back for the Boxing Day visit of Sheffield Wednesday after the Spaniard missed the defeat at Stoke City.

Ayala was recalled to the side for the midweek win over Rotherham United, but a knock to his foot late on in the game kept him out of the trip to the bet365 Stadium.

With Williams and Wharton long-term injury concerns, Mowbray opted to play Johnson alongside Darragh Lenihan, with youngster Hayden Carter among the substitutes.

Tom Trybull and Lewis Holtby were recalled in midfield, as Mowbray made two alterations to the side that overcame the Millers on Wednesday.

“No Wharton, no Williams, no Ayala, the choice was another young boy in the team,” Mowbray explained. “We decided to play Johno there and he didn’t have a lot to do.

“We would have preferred a centre half heading the ball away eight minutes in, it is what it is and we have to move on.

“I don’t think he had much concern, he kept the ball moving for us, he did what he had to do.

“Hopefully Daniel will be back soon because Scotty Wharton and Derrick Williams won’t be back soon, so we need Daniel.

“We’ll see how he is for Boxing Day.”

Rovers had hoped to find a loan move for Carter in January when they will welcome Tyler Magloire back from his loan spell at Hartlepool United.

Charlie Mulgrew is another defensive option currently out on loan, the Scot having become a regular with League One side Fleetwood Town after his move in October.

Rovers could choose to recall the 33-year-old from his loan spell next month, though it is understood there are no plans to do that currently.

Meanwhile, Bradley Dack is set to play for Rovers Under-23s at Derby County tonight (7pm).

The Rams will be streaming the Premier League 2 fixture on their website, as Billy Barr’s side look to go back to the top of the league.

Dack will play the second of his comeback matches, with the 26-year-old having been out for the last year with a knee injury, his first coming against Sheffield United last month.