Ryan Nyambe’s absence from the starting line-up was down to him being ‘taken out of the firing line’, according to boss Tony Mowbray.

Nyambe has been used off the bench in each of Rovers’ last two home matches, including a half time introduction in the defeat to Middlesbrough on Sunday.

The 21-year-old hasn’t started a league game since suffering a hamstring injury in the Boxing Day defeat at Leeds United, with Elliott Bennett filling in at right back for the past 10 matches.

But against Boro, and for the third time this season, Nyambe was thrust in to the action at half time when he was brought on as a makeshift central defender to help try and shackle Britt Assombalonga. The Boro goalscorer’s pace and power had proven too much for Jack Rodwell and Charlie Mulgrew in the opening 45 minutes.

Nyambe was one of three half time introductions with two of the four players to lose their starting spots after the midweek defeat to Reading, Amari’i Bell and Lewis Travis, also brought on.

Nyambe stuck to his task well and could come in to Mowbray’s thinking for Saturday’s trip to Birmingham City.

The Rovers manager said: “Ryan Nyambe was powerful and solid.

“He’s been in the team for most of my two years but had two bad games back-to-back against Norwich and Birmingham City at home two months ago and I felt he had to be taken out of the firing line.

“Ryan Nyambe is a player we like, he’s quick, he’s powerful and strong.

“They all did fine. Amari’i Bell has played the vast majority of the game, Travis has played 10 games on the bounce.

“Has it given me food for thought? Not really because I know what they can do.

“We’ll move on to the next one.”

Nyambe’s introduction was his 25th appearance of the season, 17 of which have been starts in the Championship, taling him to 88 in all competitions since making his debut in 2015.

Bennett has been used as a makeshift full back of late, keeping Nyambe out of the team, but Mowbray has previously said that is not a long-term solution.

Meanwhile, Joe Rothwell missed out against Boro for family reasons.