Tony Mowbray shuffled his pack at Sheffield United, making seven changes from the Boxing Day defeat at Leeds and fielding a new 4-3-3 formation.

There were first starts for Ben Brereton and Lewis Travis, as well as recalls for Harrison Reed, Richie Smallwood, Kasey Palmer, Joe Rothwell and fit-again Elliott Bennett.

Notably, Bradley Dack was left on the bench for the first time since October 2017, while eight goal striker Danny Graham was also given a rest with Rovers in the middle of five games in 21 days. 

On his team selection, the boss said: “I don’t walk to talk about Bradley Dack specifically, Danny Graham didn’t play, Adam Armstrong didn’t, Corry Evans didn’t, there were a few not playing.

“It’s about managing the squad, Danny is 33, Bradley has a history of hamstring injuries, and we have to manage our group.

“So why can’t Joe Rothwell play, why can’t Kasey Palmer play, why can’t Lewis Travis play.”

Rovers looked set to bring back at least a point from Bramall Lane, with the Blades having gone down to 10 men when Chris Basham was sent off in the 51st minute.

But they couldn't make their man advantage pay, before Richie Smallwood was shown a straight red card for a foul on Billy Sharp.

The game turned on its head, with the Blades scoring three times in nine minutes to subject Rovers to a third straight defeat.

But Mowbray felt his selection policy worked well, adding: “For 70 minutes the team were competitive. We had to try and stop a team who were very, very good at home and have this unique way of playing.

“I thought the players stood up to that environment.

“This stadium weren’t happy with the way the game was going and that was great credit to the way the team were performing.

“Yet we have to deal with the end result.

“I felt it was the right team to play and they showed me for long spells what they can do.

“It was after two more established players that came on that we lost the two quick goals so it wasn’t down to the players we picked from the start having a negative influence.

“The defence crumbled after the first goal and that’s not what we expect. We expected a more resilient mentality about keeping clean sheets and if we do then we have to make sure we don’t lose any more.”