Rovers reporter Rich Sharpe picks out three talking points ahead of the home game with Birmingham City.

EXTRA ATTACKING OPTION

Boss Tony Mowbray has taken a step back from his usual “two-and-a-half attackers” of late, using a natural winger in Craig Conway on the opposite flank to Harrison Reed behind Bradley Dack and Danny Graham.

But could Mowbray return to his use of ‘a wide striker’ or indeed hand Joe Rothwell a rare start in a bid to add more pace to the attack?

Reed has a tendency to cut in from the right flank, leaving space for Ryan Nyambe, but when one-on-one with his full back, the youngsters has struggled at times.

Conway deserves to retain his place, but there is the possibility of Reed moving centrally to make room for a more attacking option out wide.

MAHONEY’S RETURN

Connor Mahoney is primed for a first return to Ewood Park since leaving in the summer of 2017 when his contract expired.

The youngster opted for a move to Premier League Bournemouth, before being sent out on loan to Barnsley in the second half of last season and then for a full year at Birmingham this.

The winger has started each of the Blues’ last seven Championship fixtures to become a firm fixture on their right side.

Eleven of Mahoney's 21 appearances in their relegation campaign of 2016/17 came after Mowbray took charge, despite missing the last three fixtures through injury.

Mowbray made no secret of his desire to keep hold of Mahoney, but it seemed the time Rovers took to offer him a deal before his arrival proved costly as the now 21-year-old sought pastures new.

Whatever his reception, he will be threat for Rovers.

MAKE THE MOST OF EWOOD

Last weekend’s trip to Middlesbrough started a run for Rovers of six consecutive matches of teams in the top nine of the division.

The lowest ranked of the teams in this run comes on Saturday in the form of ninth-placed Birmingham before hosting leaders Norwich the following week.

Over the Christmas period comes games at promotion-chasing pair Leeds United and Sheffield United, before welcoming West Brom, currently in fifth, to Ewood on New Year Day.

Birmingham arrive in East Lancashire level on points with Rovers, but two places better off given their goal difference, significantly better at plus five to Rovers’ minus four.

But despite losing their opening two away fixtures, they have won impressively at Leeds and Millwall as well as a taking a point from Bramall Lane.

However, Rovers should be feeling confident at a venue where they have lost just once in 15 months and taken 10 points from a possible 12 since defeat to Sheffield United in October.