Rovers will have to do something no Championship side has done since February 23 to beat Stoke City this weekend, and that’s score a goal.

The Potters have had a formidable defensive record of late, with England goalkeeper Jack Butland having not conceded a goal in his last five games.

However, things have been more of a struggle at the other end, with Nathan Jones’ side without a goal in 376 minutes after four consecutive 0-0 draws.

Two divisions separated the two teams last season, but they meet at Ewood Park with just one point between them, with Rovers aiming to do the double over the Potters after victory in the reverse fixture in September.

Boss Tony Mowbray said: “When you think of the gulf from last season, Stoke in the Premier League and us in League One, it’s a test for us but one we’ve overcome in their stadium and we’re hoping to make life difficult for them again.

“We have to understanding they have some high quality footballers.

“But a home game is an opportunity for us to get some points and victories, regardless of who we’re playing against.

“We’re looking forward to this weekend, but understanding that they haven’t lost a goal in the last five games.

“So we know it will be a tough ask for us but we’re looking forward to it.”

Mowbray has been surprised by the Potters’ lack of goals given the quality of options they have in attack.

They came within a missed Saido Berahino penalty of coming back from 3-0 down to earn a point against Rovers in September, though Mowbray accepts Jones will have prioritised the goals against column after taking charge from Gary Rowett in January.

“What we do know about Stoke is they have a very deep squad, a very good squad,” Mowbray said.

“When you think of Tom Ince, James McLean, Benik Afobe, Joe Allen, Ryan Shawcross, they have some really talented players.

“I have been watching their games this week, and I do feel sometimes they have probably been focusing so much on getting the defensive side right, and keeping clean sheets.

“We should have been 4-0 up when we hit the post, but then were hanging onat the end.

“They did, even with the likes of Shawcross and Ashley Williams, it’s been a difficult defensive season for them and they have tried to resolve that side of things first and when they put their mind to goalscoring and putting the ball in the box, with the quality of wide players they have got, they can make life difficult for a lot of teams.

“I expect, if not at the end of this season, then next season they will be a real force in the division.”