Tony Mowbray said owners Venky’s were fully understanding of the defensive injury crisis Rovers face after sanctioning extra funds to bring in Jarrad Branthwaite.

Rovers moved for the Everton defender on loan last week to cover a position where Rovers remain without three senior options.

Derrick Williams and Scott Wharton are long-term concerns for Mowbray who is also without Daniel Ayala as a hamstring injury continues to sideline him.

Rovers could yet move for more defensive cover before the window closes on February 1, though Mowbray reported no fresh updates ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Middlesbrough.

The transfer budget had been spent in the summer window, with Rovers having had no plans initially to add to their squad before being depleted of options in defence.

“They keep an eye on what’s happening, they can see we’ve had no defenders,” Mowbray said of the owners.

“We needed some help so they supplied the funds to go and get that player.

“We’d spent the budget but they found extra to go and help the situation which is appreciated.”

Rovers have won just two of their last nine matches ahead of their trip to the Riverside, their first game in eight days following the postponement of the midweek visit of Swansea.

And Mowbray feels the defensive injuries have had a big say in that run of form which leaves them 12th in the table.

“I think we’ve stuttered of late, we’ve lost our consistency,” he added.

“Three centre halves are missing and we’ve struggled a little bit.

“I think the owners understand that if we’ve had difficult times, they know the ship is being steered in the right direction and it will turn again.

“They see the fact we’ve been without three central defenders recently, playing a midfielder at centre half and a left back at right back. I hope the fans see that and we’re all pushing in the right direction which is crucial at every football club.”