Tony Mowbray says player protection is at the forefront of his mind due to the size of the squad.

Injuries have blighted Rovers in recent seasons, hence Mowbray’s desire to boost numbers with additions in the transfer window, but after only five players were brought in, following 13 departures, the squad is left looking thin.

Mowbray believes he has a squad able to compete in the Championship, but says the depth is a concern should injuries strike.

As a result, Rovers could be forced to limit training time during busy periods in the season so players don’t break down, Ryan Nyambe having already missed three matches with a hamstring strain brought on by the workload of the early weeks.

Mowbray is set to be without eight first-team players for tomorrow’s visit of Luton Town, including new signings Jan Paul van Hecke and Tayo Edun, while Ben Brereton will serve the first of a two match ban following a FIFA sanction after Rovers refused him permission to meet up with the Chilean national team.

Hayden Carter will also serve a one match suspension following his sending off at Middlesbrough, though good news comes in the form of Nyambe’s return, while Bradley Johnson and Joe Rankin-Costello are both expected to be in contention in the coming days.

“We have to keep as many of these players as fit as we can. Every morning meeting with the staff, the medical department, sports science department, every day is about player protection now,” Mowbray said.

“The numbers are small.

“I phoned the Academy and took two players off the bus who were going to Brighton so the numbers are small but I like the core of this squad.

“I think the squad can be competitive, but as soon as two, three, four of them are unavailable we will be playing with some kids in a man’s league.

“We have done that for the first five games and they have competed well.”

The squad size is a contrast to last season where, despite being able to name nine substitutes, Rovers were forced to leave senior players out of the matchday 20 when injuries didn’t strike.

While that is unlikely to be a factor this around, Mowbray says that can bring it with it benefits, as outlined by captain Darragh Lenihan.

He added: “Darragh has talked about the tightness of the group being a real strength and sometimes that can happen in the adversity of having a really tight number.

“People grow. My own career started through the adversity of Middlesbrough Football Club struggling financially, a year away from going into administration and liquidation and I got a chance because everyone else got sold.

“I made my debut against Kevin Keegan and without that opportunity it might never have happened for me. You never know.

“For some of these lads, as I say to them ‘what an opportunity, grab it with both hands’. When the chance comes they have to take it, but once it drifts away and then go into League Two or sign for a National League team then you have a long way to bounce back.

“Everyone has to grab their chances and there will be opportunities for these kids.”