GOALKEEPING DUTIES

DAVID Raya’s name has been the first on the Rovers teamsheet for 65 of the last 66 league matches.

The one anomaly is the 1-0 defeat to Charlton in the penultimate match of last season.

That is testament to the development of the 23-year-old who has become the undoubted No.1 at Rovers.

His deputy throughout last season, and in to this, has been Jayson Leutwiler. The Canadian has made just five appearances for Rovers, four in the FA Cup.

Rovers did try and sign another keeper during the summer, a move which would have likely seen 20-year-old Andrew Fisher leave on loan.

While Fisher is highly-rated, 29-year-old Leutwiler will likely be the man in possession of the gloves this weekend.

How long he gets between the sticks will likely depend on the severity of the injury to Raya once he has seen a specialist. But Leutwiler will be keen to seize the chance, and Rovers will certainly need him to.

DEFENSIVE DILEMMAS

ROVERS finished the draw at West Brom with a back four of Elliott Bennett, Lewis Travis, Derrick Williams and Amari’i Bell.

Injury ruled out Ryan Nyambe and Darragh Lenihan while Charlie Mulgrew and Jack Rodwell were forced off during the 90 minutes.

Nyambe successfully came through 65 minutes for the Under-23s on Monday and is likely to return at right back against QPR which would allow Bennett to move further forward, and could be used to help dilute the threat of Luke Freeman.

Lenihan should shake off the bruised hip picked up in the defeat to Swansea, with Williams the most likely contender to partner him given the pain in which Mulgrew left the field in against West Brom.

The Republic of Ireland international and Williams have played in a central two already this season, including in impressive displays in the draw at Derby County and win over Stoke City.

REVERT TO TYPE?

TONY Mowbray admitted he left himself vulnerable to criticism with his team selection at West Brom after making five changes.

While he was impressed with the contributions of Kasey Palmer, Joe Rothwell and Craig Conway, the boss will certainly be weighing up returns for Danny Graham and Adam Armstrong and using Bradley Dack in his more familiar number 10 position.

Given Armstrong’s display in the win over Leeds at Ewood, he would be a good shout to take up his spot on the left, while Bennett may well be moved further forward should Nyambe return.

Harrison Reed has to keep his place given his impressive performance last weekend, more than likely in central midfield.

That would mean Mowbray would face a choice of Richie Smallwood or Corry Evans.