Tony Mowbray hopes new signing Christian Walton can help cure Rovers’ susceptibility from crosses.

The Rovers boss felt his side shipped too many goals last season from balls in to the box, something he hopes 6’5” Walton can play a part in addressing.

The 23-year-old has signed a season-long loan deal from Premier League side Brighton having spent the last two seasons with Wigan. There he helped them to the League One title and featured 34 times last season as the Latics consolidated in the Championship.

Rovers have been in the market for a goalkeeper all summer and sold previous No.1 to David Raya earlier this month.Walton is expected to take over that mantle, while Mowbray remains in the market for another stopper ahead of the transfer deadline of August 8.

“Christian’s very strong and hopefully he can keep developing well and help us to a very good season,” the Rovers boss said.

“He’s a big, imposing guy who has experience in this division. He had success with Wigan and we’re looking forward to working with him.

“His size and physicality will help our team because we probably conceded too many goals from wide positions last term.

“Having a big 6ft 5in guy sitting in the middle of the goal probably puts off opponents putting the crosses in.

“I’m very hopeful that he’s a good choice for us."

Raya was first choice under Mowbray throughout his tenure, though was dropped for the final four games of last season. Jayson Leutwiler, who finished last season in goal, remains on the books and played the full 90 minutes of Rovers’ draw at Rangers on Sunday.

Walton is expected to get his first run-out at Bury tomorrow night, with Mowbray looking forward to working with the former England international who has over 100 career appearances to his name.

The boss told the club website: “I’m pleased we’ve got a goalkeeper in and I’m delighted that Christian’s arrived.

“He was ducking under the door when he came in. He’s 6ft 5in and in training he looked very assured.

“I have seen him over the last few years and he’s a young ‘keeper who has had success with Wigan Athletic over the last couple of seasons.

“It makes sense for us to bring him in. He’s a young goalkeeper with big ambitions to play in the Premier League, and from the discussions I had with the people at Brighton they feel he’s got a real opportunity to do that with them.

“But he’s on a pathway to get there and I’m hopeful that he’ll do very well for us this season.

“He’s different to David. We’ve spent a lot of time watching him and he’s very agile and has plenty of good attributes. Every goalkeeper has things they’re very good at and things that they need to improve."

Walton has two years left to run on his contract at the AMEX Stadium.