THE impact of Paul Downing since arriving on a season-long loan from MK Dons has impressed Rovers boss Tony Mowbray.

Rovers have won, and kept clean sheets, in all three games in which Downing has started and the 25-year-old’s composure on the ball has been particularly impressive.

While acknowledging that he still has work to do, Mowbray is hoping the central defender can continue with his consistent displays as Rovers continue to be without key defender Darragh Lenihan through injury.

“I am pleased for Paul Downing who has come in. In the three games he has played now he's had three clean sheets,” Mowbray said.

“As a central defender that is not a bad start to his career for us.

“He's still got things that he needs to develop and get stronger at and learn, but he's done exceptionally well alongside Charlie (Mulgrew).”

Downing was a teenager coming through the ranks at West Brom under Mowbray in 2009, but much of his football has been played at Walsall.

Mowbray admits he has monitored the defender’s progress since leaving the Hawthorns, and added: “He was more of a sitting midfield player when I had him as a young boy at West Brom.

“I was aware of his performance level at Walsall who had a very good season in League One.”

Downing started the 3-0 win at Rochdale, when captain Mulgrew was sidelined by injury, alongside Elliott Ward.

Ward and Mulgrew were the chosen partnership for games against Scunthorpe, AFC Wimbledon and Scunthorpe before Downing was brought back for the win over Rotherham on September 26.

That ended Ward’s run of eight consecutive league starts, and of that decision, Mowbray said: “Paul is a very sure and conscientious football player and probably doesn’t probably have the power of an Elliott Ward, but I did feel that they (Rotherham) were very lively and quick with lots of energy breaking from midfield so Paul was the decision.

“But as I’ve said, there will be plenty of times when Elliott’s experience and physicality will be required.

“We’re all in it together, we all have a big part to play, the ones who haven’t played as much as they would have liked will all have a part to play and we just have to try and pick the right team on any given weekend.”