Rovers first-team coach David Lowe admits a lack of numbers is far from ideal just two weeks out from the start of the Championship season.

Injuries, unavailability and the departure of 11 players from last season’s squad who haven’t been replaced left Rovers having to name a number of untried youngsters in the squad for the 2-0 pre-season friendly defeat at Bradford City.

The 11 who played out the closing stages at Valley Parade had made a combined six first-team appearances between them.

Lewis Travis sat out the game, joining Bradley Johnson on the sidelines, with Rovers still unable to call on Tyrhys Dolan and Sam Gallagher, though Ben Brereton is now back in the fold after his international commitments.

The hope is all three will be able to return to action for the visit of Leeds United on Wednesday, but a lack of incomings at Ewood Park this summer has stretched the squad.

Rovers were also without their manager, Tony Mowbray unable to take his place on the touchline as he isolates at home, leaving Mark Venus and Lowe to lead the side from the touchline.

Bradford ran out deserved winners in west Yorkshire, with Lee Angol putting them ahead from the penalty spot in the first half, a lead doubled in the second by Callum Cooke.

Speaking after the defeat, Lowe said: “It’s very difficult, we’re working with a lot of young players and trying to push them forward into the squad and work on how we want to play, but our main concern from a coaching team is to produce a team who are ready to go in two weeks’ time and produce a performance. That’s the most important thing.

“At this moment we know we’re short of bodies due to injuries so we have to mix and match, Under-23s and first-team players which isn’t ideal.

“Hopefully as the days draw closer to the season we’ll get closer to the starting XI for the first ready for the start of the season.”

Rovers started brightly, but faded as the hosts came on strong after the early exchanges in which Dan Butterworth and Adam Armstrong both went close.

Darragh Lenihan was replaced at the break after taking a blow to the face in the first half, but the majority of the starting line-up came through at least an hour as they step up their fitness ahead of the new campaign.

Rovers have two more friendlies, against Leeds United on Wednesday and Bolton Wanderers next Saturday, before their Championship opener with Swansea City on August 7.

And Lowe added: “From a fitness point it was very good for a lot of the lads to get more minutes under their belt which is the most important thing, but we obviously don’t like losing football matches and unfortunately we came unstuck for whatever reason.

“We are disappointed with the performance, we know that, but we have to dust ourselves down and get ready for Leeds United on Wednesday which is going to be a big test.

“That’s the most important thing, we want to win every match we go in to, but with it being pre-season, sometimes you’re not going to, it’s about building up the minutes into the legs of the guys.

“They’ve had a heavy week of training, and from a fitness point it’s really good, but we know there are a lot of things we need to work on from a technical and tactical aspect, we all know that.

“Hopefully we can push forward and produce an improved performance against Leeds on Wednesday.”