John Eustace believes the international break came at a good time for Blackburn Rovers to take stock and believes the squad is ready to continue improving.

Rovers have made an unbeaten start to their Championship campaign, with two wins at Ewood Park and two respectable draws at tough away venues.

With new signings and a few bumps and bruises to contend with, Eustace has enjoyed the two-week break to rest and recover. The window is now shut too so, in many aspects, the football firmly takes centre stage.

The head coach believes there is plenty more to come from his side but has been very encouraged by the start they've made.

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"I think we had a lot of knocks and minor injuries so the break has helped on that side of things," he told The Lancashire Telegraph.

"It's been good to give the lads a bit of a break. We've also made two or three signings at the end of the window so it gives us a couple of weeks to work with them too.

"We have been focused from the start, there is a no-excuse culture here at the football club. Whatever has been going on behind the scenes, we have been very focused as a group and that hasn't changed at all.

"We know our jobs, what we need to do and working we're working hard. There has been a lot of hard work from the players and the staff, which started last season.

"The group have been excellent and those that were here have driven the standards, which is evident. There's lots of hard work to go but we're in a good place.

"We have the hardcore group from last year that were in the trenches. We're four games in, 42 to go, nobody is getting carried away. I am encouraged and the improvements have been clear which we've continued."

Rovers host Bristol City this weekend, who've had a mixed start to the season with two draws, a win and a defeat. Ewood Park has seen two successive wins but not three since March 2023, a run of four under Jon Dahl Tomasson.

Similarly, they haven't enjoyed a longer unbeaten run at the start of a campaign since 2018-19, under Tony Mowbray.

"I think Bristol City are a very good team, they're managed and coached very well," Eustace said on Saturday's opposition.

"They're a team with a lot of experience but young players with lots of games under their belt. The recruitment has been good there.

"It will be a difficult game but one we're looking forward to. We're two home games in, it's been a good start and the fans have got us through some difficult moments.

"We've played two good teams, done well, but this is a different test. I know the fans will make a big difference again when we have difficult moments this season."