With every passing cameo off the bench, Tony Mowbray understands the question from the Rovers fans of why Joe Rothwell isn’t starting more.

The summer signing from Oxford United has made just six Championship appearances from the start, but looked lively in the majority of his 20 substitute appearances.

Mowbray has previously compared the 24-year-old’s predicament of that to Harry Chapman last season when the then Middlesbrough loanee continued to make a difference when coming off the bench.

Rothwell was one part of a double change at Aston Villa on Saturday, along with Ben Brereton, as Rovers looked to find a way back in to the game.

They were part of an improved display in the final half an hour as Rovers tried to claw their way back from a two goal deficit, only to go down 2-1 after Amari’i Bell reduced the arrears with 17 minutes to go.

Rothwell started the defeat at Sheffield Wednesday before the international break, but saw Adam Armstrong and Craig Conway used on the flanks at Villa Park as part of five changes.

“People might question why Rothwell doesn’t start a match as he’s so good when he comes on,” said Mowbray, who has reservations about the former Oxford man's defensive capabilities. 

“Adam has a natural work ethic. He’s like a cross country runner, but also a sprinter, which is why I play Adam on that side as an attacking winger and on the other side a hardworking Conway or Bennett.

“You get judged on those decisions.

“I thought Rothwell was good when he came on, Brereton when he came on got on the ball and was really positive.

“But overall, I was disappointed we got beat.”

Another of those changes saw Irishman Darragh Lenihan return from an eight game absence with a knee injury.

Rovers have missed his physical presence at the back, and despite conceding twice more on the road, meaning they have shipped 44 goals in 20 away games, Mowbray was happy with the contribution of the 25-year-old, and happy to welcome back the Republic of Ireland international.

He was one of four defenders to return from injury at the weekend, along with Charlie Mulgrew and Amari’i Bell who started alongside Lenihan in the back four, and Jack Rodwell, who was among the substitutes.

“Lenihan is immense. It’s amazing when you watch him on the training field how dominant he is,” said Mowbray, whose side face Stoke City at Ewood Park on Saturday.

“Having someone who can head goal kicks back over the halfway line, the other defenders know he’s coming and he towers over them.

“Something as basic as that makes a difference to any football team.

“You’re not having to defend the edge of your box every time.

“He’s still got a long way to go in his career and his development but he’s a fantastic lad, he’s a proper defender in my opinion.

“He was a huge difference for me.”