John Eustace’s Rovers side lie three points and as many places above the Swans in eighth place in the standings after a strong start to the first block of games despite back-to-back defeats.
Ahead of the international break, the Swans have quietly risen into the top half of the table with just one defeat in their last five games.
The trip to Lancashire, however, poses an intriguing test for Williams’ men against a side unbeaten on home turf this campaign.
“We have another tough Championship game ahead, no doubt about it,” said the Swans boss ahead of the game.
“We know what we are expecting from them, and we have to go there and be a good side if we are to get anything at all.
“We played very well in our last away game, and if we can produce that level consistently on the road we will have a really good return.
“So, if we can give a good account of ourselves in that game then we should take that as being our level and our standard away from home.
“That is to go to places and control the game and be competitive, and we have to do that again.”
The Swans task has been made that much harder with news that key winger Ji Sung Eom’s knee injury suffered in the break is set to rule the South Korean out for at least six weeks.
The loss of Eom is a blow for Swansea given that he has been one of the more creative players in a side lacking attacking threat in the early stages of the season.
Eom has started all of Swansea’s Championship games so far this season after signing from South Korean top-flight club Gwangju FC in July.
“He has hurt his knee, so we’re going to fix his knee, and he will be back on the pitch hopefully in six weeks,” continued Williams.
“I think we’re going to miss the excitement and the way he can change direction so quickly, but he’ll be back with us before we know it, so he’ll be okay.
“He’s in the best place possible now. Hopefully, we can help him make a full recovery without any long-lasting problems.”
Williams is disappointed to lose one of his key men but sees it as an opportunity for the likes of summer signing Bianchini to come in and make an impression.
French winger Bianchini is yet to start a Championship game since joining Swansea from Bastia in a deal worth around £2m in August.
The 23-year-old has made four substitute appearances in the league so far, with his one Swansea start coming in their miserable League Cup defeat to Wycombe.
“We are very disappointed to lose Eom. We would never want to have him out of the squad, but it gives an opportunity for someone to try to stake a claim and potentially create even more competition amongst the players.
“We have seen guys coming off the bench and starting games in the wide positions, so we have some options there.
“When you build a squad, you do that knowing there will be injuries. This is an opportunity for players to get additional minutes and to show they should be playing in the team more regularly.
“It’s part and parcel of the game, and I think someone like Florian can develop and become a very important and very good player for us.
“I think there have been some real positive signs [from Bianchini], some encouraging things, and some games where he has not hit that level,” explained Williams.
“We have some guys who have been starting games regularly, so he has had to jump into games in different circumstances.
“I think it’s been a mixed bag which I would expect. He came in late and has had to learn plenty of things. That’s why we continue to work with him, and I am sure he is going to become a very good player for us.”
[Lead image: Swansea City FC]
