Rovers' main issues for the game at Birmingham City will concern the availability of their defensive options after Daniel Ayala and Ryan Nyambe limped out of the defeat at Huddersfield Town.

Should neither be fit, then the likelihood would be that John Buckley slots in at right back, having done so when coming off the bench in recent weeks, and Bradley Johnson dropping back to partner Darragh Lenihan, the skipper himself having taken a knock to the ankle on Tuesday night.

Should Nyambe be fit, then Mowbray would have the option of slotting him in at centre half, a role he has done on occasion, but doing so would see Rovers lose some of their attacking input.

Johnson started at centre back alongside Lenihan in the defeat at Stoke City, while Rovers have gone without any central defensive cover on the bench for the last two matches after Hayden Carter dropped out of the squad.

There is also the conundrum at left back, Barry Douglas having dropped to the bench against Huddersfield after a poor run of form, Amari’i Bell recalled in his place for a first start since December 2. Was that a statement to the Leeds United loanee, who has underperformed of late, or a show of faith in Bell? We may well learn that when the teamsheet lands at Birmingham City.

In midfield, Joe Rothwell has become something of a first pick, despite not having the impact Rovers would have hoped at Huddersfield where he was something of a marked man in the first half.

A bang to the knee forced off Tom Trybull in the early stages, with Lewis Holtby on after just 11 minutes in his place, but how Rovers could do with the 30-year-old finding some of his early season form.

Stewart Downing will be knocking on the door, not least if Trybull isn’t passed fit, Johnson is required at centre back, or indeed ahead of Holtby, having made seven appearances off the bench since his return.

Adam Armstrong may have managed just one goal in his last seven matches, but with 27 in the calendar year, he remains the main source of goals.

With Bradley Dack not yet in a position to start matches, it seems certain he will be utilised off the bench again, while Ben Brereton should keep his place on the left.

Sam Gallagher dropped to the bench to accommodate Brereton’s return, and looked to have grabbed the equaliser when firing home in the 86th minute.

That was his fourth goal of the season, all as a substitute, while interestingly eight of his last nine goals in Rovers colours have come when brought onto the pitch.

That brings us to Harvey Elliott, who prior to his substitution on Tuesday night, in which he trudged off a little displeased, had played more minutes than anyone since signing on loan.

His numbers in terms of attacking output, and workload, have made him an essential starter, but having spoken about not over-burdening the 17-year-old, it will be interesting to see when Mowbray chooses to hand him a break.

That could naturally come following this game, with the FA Cup tie with Doncaster to follow on January 9 before the visit of Stoke City seven days later.

But after managing just 28 touches on Tuesday night, and a pass completion rate of just 75 per cent, the second lowest of any of the outfield starting players, could Mowbray consider a start for Tyrhys Dolan? Or indeed, both, using Elliott slightly deeper?

Dolan has played just 100 minutes since his last start against Middlesbrough back in early November, and he has felt a little underused, not least given the fact that Rovers have scored just five times in their last six matches.

The teenager alone wouldn’t solve Rovers’ attacking issues, but an out-and-out winger with delivery from the wide areas is a point of difference this side has lacked.