Blackburn Rovers boss Gary Bowyer says he was pleased with an upturn in performances last month but disappointed by a points return of four from four Championship games.

Rovers began their September action with a 2-1 defeat at Fulham, before draws at both QPR and Hull City and, sandwiched in between, a 3-0 home win over Charlton Athletic.

And, despite a better return and their first league win of the season, Rovers are just one point outside the relegation zone ahead of a visit from Ipswich Town on Saturday.

But Bowyer sees reasons to be optimistic, despite a run of tricky fixtures in October which sees the Ewood Park outfit take on MK Dons, Derby County, Burnley and Leeds United after facing the Tractor Boys.

He told the Evening Telegraph: “I think the performances first and foremost in September have been very good. The fixture list wasn’t kind to us with three of them being away from home, but we’re disappointed with the points tally.

“That’s a sign of the potential that this group has got because to have three games away from home and to be disappointed not to have more points just shows the progress that we’re making.”

The improvement in results for Rovers has coincided with a return to goalscoring form for Scotland international frontman Jordan Rhodes.

The 25-year-old was goalless in August, but found the net five times in four games in September, including two in the victory over Charlton.

Rhodes is 5.50 to be the first goalscorer against Ipswich and is 2.40 to score at any time.