This feels the first test of the Rovers squad.

We’ve known for sometime how little it would take for it to take on a threadbare look, and while the positives of an undoubtedly close bond between a smaller, younger group of players has been there for all to see, Tony Mowbray now faces a challenge to patch up a squad for one more big effort before the international break.

The settled nature of the side has contributed to the strong start, enabling Mowbray to ease in his new signings, but it has been clear that Rovers have relied on several key performers.

A number of those weren’t on the field for the closing stages of the defeat to Huddersfield Town, where an air of naivety crept in as they slipped to a first away defeat.

There is undoubtedly a great spirit to the side, demonstrated by the fact they twice battled back from going behind, and pushed hard to do it for a third time until the referee signalled an end to the game. They remain a very competitive side in the division, despite their inexperience.

However, the Championship is a relentless schedule, and is ruthless too, mistakes will be punished, as Rovers found to their undoing on Tuesday night.

Rovers’ poor record without Darragh Lenihan has been well documented, and while Hayden Carter has proven himself in his outings so far this season, the loss of Lenihan was always going to be a big one.

Add that to Scott Wharton still being around a month off returning, Brighton loanee Jan Paul van Hecke, the man signed to add depth to help out in situations similar to this, still not fit, Rovers could ill-afford another defensive blow.

When Ryan Nyambe went off Rovers not only lost out on another regular in the side, as well as his attacking thrust, but it prompted a re-shuffle which saw a change of formation and John Buckley switching to right wing-back.

The solid defensive foundation on which Rovers had built their strong start was no longer there, and two headed goals from Danny Ward looked far too simple from a defensive point of view.

They were conceded at bad times too, Ward’s first only three minutes after Ben Brereton had hauled Rovers level, the second seven minutes from time just as the visitors looked the most likely to push for a winner.

Joe Rothwell could be another absentee at Blackpool, his workload so far having pushed him to his limit, a muscle injury putting his place in Saturday in doubt.

With Sam Gallagher still nursing a thigh strain that has hampered him in recent weeks, the squad is starting to creak, and Mowbray must come up with a new formula to help manage them through this period, with Joe Rankin-Costello having had a setback in his recovery, and Bradley Johnson still not ready.

Yet injury presents opportunity, and more must now step up.

Loanees Clarkson, Poveda and Khadra were sent on as part of a triple change in the closing stages, and Tayo Edun will see an opportunity arising as he awaits his first start in Rovers colours.

There would be no better stage for them to announce themselves should they get the chance at Blackpool infront of a sold-out travelling following of 3,000.

Despite the disappointment of losing late on at Huddersfield, there were positives, not least another two goals for Brereton, now just one short of double figures and only 10 games played.

Rothwell showed blistering footwork to create the first, and an excellent passing range to help create the penalty that Brereton dispatched for his second, Thomas Kaminski made some key saves, while twice battling back from a goal down on their travels was a sign of real spirit.

In truth, they warranted more for their efforts, and a draw would likely have been a fairer reflection on the game, though Mowbray was gracious in praise of the opposition for their part in an entertaining encounter.

This remains Rovers’ best start to a second tier season since 1989/90, five more than they had at the same stage last year, and four better than the 2000/01 promotion campaign.

They will end the 10th round of matches, whatever the scores in Wednesday night’s fixtures, inside the top six and knowing a win on Saturday would cement that spot heading into the second international break, a position everyone associated with the club would have taken before a ball was kicked.

The spotlight will now likely fall on the transfer business in the wake of the current unavailability situation, and Mowbray will be looking for others to step forward and stake a claim at the first difficult juncture of Rovers’ season.

They were always going down to down on numbers, with five ins and 13 outs, but they must now show that they are not short on quality as well.