BLACKBURN Rovers boss Gary Bowyer has hinted he could switch to a three-man defence for today’s trip to QPR in a bid to make his side harder to break down away from home.

While Rovers have conceded just five goals in nine games at Ewood Park – the third best record in the Championship behind QPR (2) and Burnley (4) – they have let in 17 in as many matches on the road.

It is a conundrum that Bowyer has so far been unable to solve.

And it has led him to considering a change of formation as well as a change of personnel for the clash with Harry Redknapp’s second-placed team.

On-loan Chelsea right-back Todd Kane will definitely miss out with suspension after he picked up his fifth booking of the season in Tuesday’s 3-1 loss at Ipswich Town.

But when asked whether the fit-again Adam Henley, who has not played since March, would be a like-for-like replacement for the banned Kane, Bowyer said: “Adam can obviously play there but there are others who can play there too and it might not necessarily be a back four.”

Bowyer had given consideration to playing three centre-backs earlier in the campaign but the defeat to Ipswich may be the impetus to make the tactical switch.

Bowyer said: “We’ve got experienced people on the staff and if you look at the manner in which we’ve been shipping goals away from home it’s something you have to be open minded about.

“You cannot ignore the possibility of changing personnel but also changing the system.”

All three goals against Ipswich were the result of individual mistakes. The Tractor Boys’ killer third goal came after Jake Kean allowed a ball over the top to bounce through his legs.

It is not the first time this season that the young Rovers goalkeeper has made a mistake that has cost his side.

Bowyer said: “He’s young, he’s got to learn from it and toughen up. Everyone cares about him, wants to support him and wants him to improve.

“He was down but it’s up to us to pick him up.”