Scott Wharton says there is no fear in the Rovers dressing room and expects a response against Nottingham Forest tonight.

Rovers suffered only a second defeat since the start of November against Swansea City at the weekend and face a tough test against promotion-hunting Forest at Ewood Park.

Defender Wharton is a confident of a response however, having responded to their last two defeats with victories, and he expects Rovers to raise their game against Forest.

The visitors are full of confidence as they close in a top six place following a resurgence under Steve Cooper, but Wharton says Rovers will be face the test head on.

And he says there is a full focus and belief within the squad with 16 games to go.

“We don’t fear anyone. On our day we believe we can beat anyone and we’ve shown that,” Wharton said.

“You’re going to win and lose games but we don’t fear anyone and on our day we can beat anyone.

“The team have done very well so far to get ourselves into this position.

“We’ve overachieved from people’s expectations so we’re taking it in our stride, game by game.

“We had a defeat at the weekend but when we lost against Hull we bounced back straight away against Middlesbrough and the group is very close together and looking to bounce back with three points.

“Sixteen games to go, there will be wins and losses, but the big examples are this season, you go back to the Fulham game and the run we went on after that was unbelievable, we know we can do it, we’re confident in ourselves and how we perform.”

Wharton feels a squad effort has been crucial to the run of form that has taken Rovers to second in the table.

Key to that has been their home form, with 10 wins from 15 Ewood fixtures, and following back-to-back away games, Wharton is excited by the prospect of another big game infront of the home fans.

“It’s going to be a tough test, the home record has been good and the fans have got right behind us at Ewood,” he said.

“It’s probably the best it’s been in a few years so credit to the fans.

“We’re expecting a tough game, like the Middlesbrough game, but we enjoyed that as we do against the team who, on paper, are the harder teams.

“It’ll be a tight game, Forest are doing well, but we want to get the three points.”

The return after a year out injured with a ruptured Achilles for Wharton has been seamless, slotting in on the left side of a back three which he feels is a position that has brought the best out of him.

He credits the role of manager Mowbray in that, adding: “He’s given me the belief, especially someone who played my position in his career, that can only help me and I can only learn things from him on the training pitch.

“The little details he can help me improve. He’s given me belief and I really like the formation, it suits me personally and I’m enjoying my football.”

“With the back three and wing-backs at times when you’re in possession you’re able to step in and play forward with the passes and start attacks, but also defensively it’s a really solid foundation to defend from.

“You’ve always got numbers and it can be hard to break down at times.”