Maintaining form and fitness is one of Tony Mowbray’s key messages to his squad as they head into the second half of the season where Bradley Dack’s return could be crucial.

Rovers have cemented their place inside the top six by putting together eight wins in their last 10 matches, including five successive wins. This comes as they expect to welcome Dack back into the fold next month as the attacker comes towards the end of his latest ACL comeback.

Mowbray felt Dack was playing as well as anyone in the division, having scored 10 goals by Christmas, when his first injury struck in December 2019 and after that sidelined him for a year, he suffered further agony in March when he had surgery on the opposite knee.

But keen to welcome him back, Mowbray said: “There’s half the season to go, this could still be an average season. We hope to keep it going, keep them fit and strong as we are mostly and then Dack comes back in January.

“Is he going to strengthen us? Let’s hope so. Before his first injury in my opinion he was probably the best player in the Championship and let’s wait and see how he affects us when he gets back.”

The 27-year-old suffered the first of two ACL injuries in December 2019 and after 12 months of rehabilitation, he returned to play 17 times, scoring three goals, before the same injury but to the opposite knee struck in March.

The journey back has been smoother for Dack who Rovers hope will be able to take part in three Under-23s matches next month ahead of his first-team return.

Mike Sheron’s side have four matches in January, the first of which comes on January 2 as Rovers weigh up his involvement.

Dack has been Rovers’ longest-term absentee, with Ian Poveda and Joe Rankin-Costello the two main concerns now as Mowbray hopes his squad can stay Covid free.