SHANE Duffy insists his centre-back partnership with Blackburn Rovers captain Grant Hanley will go from strength to strength the more the young internationals play together.

The 22-year-olds have helped Rovers keep two clean sheets from the four games they have started alongside each other in the heart of Gary Bowyer’s defence.

And they will look to make it three in today’s tricky trip to in-form Ipswich Town (3pm) if Hanley recovers from the knee injury he picked up playing for Scotland in their win over Georgia last weekend.

“We’re still getting used to the partnership but I think the more we play together the better it will get,” said Duffy, who was on the standby list for the Republic of Ireland’s clashes with Gibraltar and Germany over the past week.

“There’s still room for improvement but I’m enjoying it and enjoying playing alongside him because he’s our captain and he’s got good qualities.

“First and foremost you’ve got to do your own job but you’ve got to be there for your partner as well and the whole game he talks to me an awful lot and I talk to him.

“It takes time, you can’t just expect it to happen overnight, so we’re working on it on the training ground.

“But it is two clean sheets from four games so we must be doing something right.”

It is hoped that Hanley, after a week’s worth of treatment, will be fit to face the Tractor Boys today.

But Duffy, a deadline day arrival from Everton, will certainly start the Portman Road encounter.

Ipswich boss Mick McCarthy was last week named the Championship manager of the month after leading his team, who have not lost since going down at home to arch rivals Norwich City on August 23, on a run of four wins and a draw during September.

Rovers boss Bowyer is full of respect for a man who has taken charge of 783 games during his 22-year managerial career.

“It’s a magnificent effort to manage more than 700 games,” said Bowyer, who will be overseeing his 75th match as a senior manager today.

“Mick is a top bloke who has given advice to me when needed and I think he’s building something there.”

The Tractor Boys are unbeaten in seven games in contrast to Rovers who have won just one of their last five.

Bowyer, whose side will be cheered on by more than 300 fans today, said: “It’s about us going there with the belief and confidence in the ability that we’ve got. 

“It’s up to us to give our supporters something to cheer about because to make that journey is a magnificent effort from them. 

“All the players and the staff fully appreciate the followings we have away from home, as well as home, but the extra effort to go to places like Ipswich is fully appreciated.”