CHRISTIAN Walton has urged Rovers to make every game count in their effort to push into the Championship’s top six.

Tony Mowbray’s men go into the last nine games of the season still only three points shy of sixth place, despite a run of four games without a win.

Defeats in the last three games for Preston North End have kept Rovers in touch with the play-off pack, while tomorrow’s opponents Bristol City remain in the mix despite picking up two points from a possible 15.

And Walton says Rovers must show how much they want a top-six finish by finding the necessary consistency at the business end of the season.

“I’ve heard a lot of people talk about having nine ‘cup finals’,” said the goalkeeper of the significance of the run-in, with games against five of the teams above them, including the top two – Leeds and West Brom – at home.

“You’ve got to take each game as it comes but out of the nine games we’ve got now, we’ve got Leeds, West Brom, Bristol City, Millwall, so a lot of teams in and around us.

“It’s going to be hard but we’re going to thrive off it and I think everyone’s looking forward to the challenge.”

Walton has kept 12 clean sheets so far in his season-long loan from Brighton, and after conceding five in the last two games, he is keen to add to his shut-out tally.

“I need to keep as many clean sheets as I can and help the team as much as possible,” said the 24-year-old, who conceded there was little he could do about Louie Sibley’s opener for Derby last weekend.

“To be fair I thought Derby played well. The first 20 minutes I thought we were the better side but we just couldn’t finish our chances.

“They took their chances and obviously their first goal is a great finish. From there on we didn’t really get back into the game, which was disappointing.

“As soon as it left his foot, it’s gone around Ryan Nyambe, I don’t think I was getting there.

“It was off the outside of his boot and in the top corner before you can react.

“It was a good finish from the lad. It was one of those things. As soon as he hit it I think he probably knew it was a goal and so did I.”

He added: “It was similar to the Ollie Watkins one at Brentford - top corner. It was one of those great finishes that you can’t really do much about.

“Obviously I look at every goal and see where I can do better but I think with those I think you have to say congratulations and great finish.

“Training has been good this week. As a team we’ve still been really positive and we’re looking forward to Saturday.

“We’ve just got to go again on Saturday and put things right.

“They’re going to be coming to Ewood wanting to win the game. We’ve done well at Ewood Park this year so it’s going to be a good game.

“They’re a good side but they have been a bit inconsistent of late.”

“It’s another great opportunity for us to test ourselves against one of the better teams in the league.”