Blackburn Rovers have endured an inconsistent start to their second season back in the Championship since domestic action resumed at the beginning of August.

Having picked up 13 points from their opening eight games of the season, it looked at that point as though Rovers would build on the promising return to the second-tier they enjoyed last year, with some anticipating a push towards the play-offs at that point.

Since then however, things have taken a distinct downward turn at Ewood Park.

Following that encouraging start to the campaign, Tony Mowbray's side have endured a difficult recent run, and after their 2-1 defeat to Leeds United at Elland Road on Saturday, have now picked up just five points from their previous eight games.

Admittedly, that poor run of form hasn't been helped by injuries, with on-loan Cardiff left-back Greg Cunningham suffering a season-ending injury in a 4-2 defeat at QPR just before the October international break, while centre back Darragh Lenihan has also been absent through injury since that game.

Now, it seems as though Rovers backline are on the verge of putting themselves in a precarious position thanks to their disciplinary record as well, with a handful of players currently one booking away from receiving a one-game suspension.

With that threshold not set to be extended for another three games, we've taken a look at the four Blackburn players who may have to watch their step in their side's next run of games, which sees them host Barnsley and Brentford before travelling to Stoke.

Derrick Williams

One defender Rovers could soon find themselves without is Derrick Williams.

The 26-year-old, who is part of the Republic of Ireland squad for the November international break, was booked in Saturday's defeat at Elland Road, which has taken him up to four yellow cards for the campaign.

Williams has featured in 15 of Rovers' 16 league games so far this season, with his role in defence taking on greater significance since those injuries to Cunningham and Lenihan, which have made him one of the more senior figures in his side's back four.

Having also netted his third goal of the season against Leeds - he'd only scored twice in his three previous seasons with Blackburn - Williams is a player they will not want to lose for more than one reason.

Elliott Bennett

It has been a challenging campaign for Elliott Bennett so far.

Having been handed the captain's armband following the departure of Charlie Mulgrew on the final day of the summer transfer window, Bennett has found himself frequently changing positions on the pitch.

The natural right midfielder has so far this year found himself at right-back - his most common position recently - left-back and holding midfield, making it hard for him to settle, meaning a break from the side may not actually be altogether the worst thing for Bennett.

Given he has been on four yellow cards since Blackburn's 2-1 win at Reading in September, it will be interesting to see if he is available to avoid that fifth booking for these last few games before the threshold is extended.

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Darragh Lenihan

Despite the fact that, as has already been mentioned, Lenihan has been absent for Rovers' last five games through injury, the centre back is another who finds himself walking the disciplinary tightrope.

In the ten league games he has appeared in so far this season, Lenihan has already managed to collect four yellow cards, and he could still find himself having to tread carefully to avoid suspension when he returns to the side.

With Blackburn boss Tony Mowbray recently revealing that he is hopeful the centre back will be available to feature against Barnsley in the first game after the international break, Lenihan could also have to navigate the next three games with the aim of not picking up a booking, although his importance at the back means that is a risk Rovers will surely be willing to take if he is fit.

If Bennett, Williams and Lenihan were all to pick up a booking at the same point in those next three matches, then it would leave Rovers going into the subsequent match with Ryan Nyambe, Tosin Adarabioyo and Amari'i Bell as their only recognised senior defenders.

Lewis Travis

It isn't just Rovers' defenders that will have to watch their step over the next few games.

Midfielder Lewis Travis is also just one yellow away from a suspension, and has been since the 2-2 draw with Huddersfield in mid-October.

That Travis finds himself in that situation is perhaps no huge surprise, considering the tough-tackling nature of the 22-year-old's game that has made him such a popular and effective figure around Ewood Park since he first broke into the side at the start of this year.

While that contribution would undoubtedly be missed, one thing that Rovers do have in their favour with any suspension Travis receives in contrast to their defenders, is that they have plenty of options to take his place, with Bradley Johnson, Corry Evans, Stewart Downing and Lewis Holtby among those to have taken on that central midfield role so far this season.