OWEN Coyle says the central defensive partnership of Darragh Lenihan and Charlie Mulgrew is getting better by the week.

Rovers are without a number of options in the middle of the back four although Gordon Greer is set to return from injury ahead of Saturday’s home clash with Huddersfield Town.

But after earning just a second shut-out of the season in the win at Newcastle United, Coyle is unlikely to want to move away from the Lenihan-Mulgrew partnership which held firm against the league leaders.

Rovers became just the second side in the Championship to stop Newcastle from scoring, with the Magpies having gone in to the game with 36 goals from their opening 17 fixtures.

“They have been getting better by the week,” Coyle said.

“Lenihan continues to improve. He’s a young man who for me, is going to be a big, big asset to the club and of tremendous value.

“Mulgrew is a class player. He has composure on the ball, a real winner, a real desire, and that filters through to the other players.

“Everyone ran until they dropped and that’s what we needed.”

Mulgrew popped up with the winner at St James’ Park, turning the ball home after meeting Liam Feeney’s inswinging cross.

It was his first goal since joining Rovers on a three-year deal in August having left Celtic.

Coyle believes in Mulgrew Rovers have acquired a quality operator and one whose versatility has been key in helping ease the defensive injury crisis.

“Someone said that he would have loved scoring in front of 52,000, but Charlie Mulgrew has scored in front of bigger crowds than that,” Coyle said.

“He’s played in the Champions League with Celtic in huge stadiums and scored big, big goals. He’s an international player too.

“He came up with an important goal for us and he’s one player that if we can keep healthy, he will continue to help and add to us as a team.

“Charlie has worked hard since coming to the club, he’s worked hard having had a little injury, but he’s now in full flow and looking a quality player.

Mulgrew and Lenihan were partnered together for just the second time this season, as Rovers continue to be without Tommie Hoban and Elliott Ward.

Wes Brown is continuing to work his way back to fitness however, with another outing for Rovers’ under-23s side on Monday.

The 2-0 defeat against Newcastle United on Monday night also saw a return to action for defender Adam Henley who has been out since August with a hamstring injury.

There will need to be a change to the Rovers back four ahead of the Terriers visit however, with Ben Marshall, who has been filling in at right-back, picking up his fifth yellow card of the season in injury time at Newcastle United.

If Marshall had avoided a booking at Newcastle he would have passed the Football League’s amnesty date (November 30) and a fifth wouldn’t have brought about a suspension.

“The amnesty has extended to 10 yellow cards now,” said Coyle. “I thought it was a bit harsh, it was the 92nd or 93rd minute.

“Obviously it is a blow because he’s a big player for us.

“It’s happened to us before, with Hope Akpan the other week and other players, but we will have to adjust accordingly as we can do and that’s what we’ll look to do.”