Steven Schumacher has urged Stoke City's players to show their character after Blackburn Rovers added to their relegation concerns.

Rovers beat the Potters 3-1 at Ewood Park, alleviating their worries of being dragged into the scrap at the bottom of the Championship. In turn, that further pushed Stoke towards the bottom three.

Schumacher's side have been in terrible form and were met with shouts of 'you're not fit to wear the shirt' during the game and again at the full-time whistle.

“It's a huge challenge and I knew the challenge coming into here," the Stoke boss said.

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"I knew what it was potentially going to be like and I can't say I'm surprised by too much.

“But as I've said numerous times, I think there's enough quality. It needs a bit of luck to go your way, you need a decision here or here and it's not quite happening at the moment.

“But the only way through it is to attack it head-on. I won't shy away. We have to have a go, roll our sleeves up and be ready to fight.

“When you're not winning games you have to try to find a formula that works. I spoke about people training properly and people staking claims in training sessions. 

"When you do that, you get an opportunity to play and the team was based around that this week. I felt that was the best team because those players in training had performed. That's kind of what you have to do when you're not winning.

"What we have to say now is that we're going to have to get players who are ready and committed and are going to be brave and understand where we're at. 

"We're in a relegation battle and there's no getting away from that fact. We need people who will stand up and be counted.”