OWEN Coyle admits Jason Lowe ‘might not be everyone’s favourite’ but says his skipper sets a ‘fantastic example’.

Lowe was switched to an unfamiliar left-back role against QPR on Saturday to fill the void left by the injured Derrick Williams, and won praise from his manager for his performance.

It was expected that Charlie Mulgrew would make the switch from central midfield to left-back, but after a conversation between manager and player, Lowe was given the nod.

The 25-year-old has come in for criticism from some quarters this season, but Coyle was full of praise for Lowe's attitude and application in the QPR win.

“Lowey for me sets a fantastic example, he wears his heart on his sleeve, he covers every blade of grass,” Coyle said.

“He might not be everyone’s favourite but as a manager, he’s a player that you know will give you everything you’ve got.

“With Derrick out, obviously Charlie could play there, but Lowey is a seasoned, experienced pro and I had a chat with him and he said ‘gaffer, wherever you need me, I’ll be there'.

“I thought he was fantastic.”

Williams could return against Rotherham on Saturday, having failed a fitness test ahead of the QPR game.

His return would pose Coyle with a decision over whether to keep Lowe at left-back, or revert him back to his more usual central midfield role.

However, that decision could also depend on whether Gordon Greer is passed fit as he looks to overcome a hip problem picked up at the weekend.

Lowe himself is hoping that the win over QPR can be the springboard to improved fortunes on the pitch for Rovers.

“A winning mentality is one that we need to get back in to the group as soon as possible,” he added.

“Hopefully this can be the springboard for it.

“You have habits in this game and when you’re playing reasonably well and not putting points on the board it can knock the wind out of your sails.

“But what we have got is a resolute group with the heart for the fight and great desire to go and win games.

“I think if we keep doing what we’re doing and keep our focus for 90 minutes there’s no reason we can’t go on a run.”

Lowe has played plenty of his football for Rovers at right-back, but has mainly been used by Coyle in a central midfield role.

But he admits he has no preference, adding: “I know I can do both roles, it’s just down to where the manager wants to play me, it’s as simple as that.

“I have no preferred position, if the manager wants me at full-back then I’ll give my all, and if he wants me in the middle of the park, I’ll do that in there.

“It’s entirely up to the gaffer as it has been under any manager I’ve worked under.”