Mick McCarthy believes Rovers have been able to make good loan signings under Tony Mowbray and feels they have made a positive start to the season.

Rovers head into the weekend in sixth spot having lost just once in their opening eight matches. Cardiff come into the game on the back of a run of three defeats in four, with McCarthy hoping they can get back on track at Ewood Park.

Seven of the last 10 matches between the sides have ended in draws, including both fixtures last season, and McCarthy is anticipating another tough game.

And he believes sharing the goals around will be key for Rovers this season following the departure of Adam Armstrong, their case helped by their loan business and the form of Ben Brereton.

“Another tough one, but then there are no easy ones in the Championship.

“Tony has got a good side there and plays good football and gets good loans.

“They had Armstrong last year and now they’ve lost him, but they’ve got a team that shares it around.

“Brereton-Diaz has come to the fore as well. They all know what they are doing.

“If they can keep getting the goals they will have a chance around the play-offs.

“We are early in the season now but they have had a good start.”

Cardiff will be without midfielder Joe Ralls through injury, while McCarthy believes a bout of Covid in the summer, and then a forced period of isolation during his time away with Wales, has been behind Kieffer Moore’s slow start to the campaign.