MATT Jansen today admitted he feels frustrated by his lack of first team opportunities - but he's not about to go knocking on Graeme Souness's door to complain.

Jansen is currently Rovers' fourth choice striker after falling behind Academy starlet Paul Gallagher in the Ewood pecking order.

But the 26-year-old forward is ready to fight for his place the hard way rather than cut up rough and demand some answers from Souness about his recent omission from the first team.

"The club have given me a lot of support," said Jansen.

"They've understood my situation and been good with me so I can't really start knocking on the door and asking 'why am I not playing?'

"But I'm sure if I keep working hard then my chance will come.

"At the start of the season, I scored three goals in about seven or eight games but we weren't flying high and we still aren't now, even after the manager has changed the team around.

"But I can't complain because the club have been absolutely brilliant with me and I just want the chance to repay them soon."

Jansen's last first team start came against Genclerbirligi in the UEFA Cup in October and since then he's had to be content with a place on the bench.

That has left him feeling frustrated but he has taken heart from the example set by his room-mate, Nissa Johansson, who recently earned himself a first team recall following an extended spell in the reserves.

"Obviously, I'm feeling a bit frustrated but I think a lot of the players are frustrated at the moment because of the situation we are in," said Jansen.

"I can take heart from the fact that the manager has included me in all the squads but it's still frustrating that I'm not playing on a more regular basis.

"I've just got to take my chance when it's handed to me. Nissa is a perfect example of what can happen.

"He did very well against Manchester City and he was very much part of the reserve team before that.

"So he was handed his opportunity and he grabbed it with both hands and I've got to look to do the same."

Jansen admits that his confidence has taken a dip while he has been out of the side.

But he knows all that could change in an instant with one good performance in the first team.

"Obviously, I'm not high on confidence but then a lot of the team aren't high on confidence, either," said Jansen.

"That can change within a week, though. Football is so funny, it has highs and lows, and although mine might have been an extended low, hopefully there will soon be a few more highs to come.

"It's difficult at the moment when I do come on because you can't really impose yourself on the game when you're only getting five or 10 minutes here and there.

"But I'm just trying to do as much as I possibly can.

"I'm sure that if we can get some results behind us then the confidence will lift and hopefully I'll be dragged up by that as well.

"So I'll keep battling away because that's all I can do."

Jansen is keeping an open mind about the possibility of going out on loan in order to build up his confidence.

Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy tried to take him to the Stadium of Light at the start of the season but Rovers knocked him back.

And more recently, a third party claiming to be working on behalf of West Brom also asked the question but they received the same answer.

"Sunderland wanted to take me at the start of the season but the gaffer said 'no'," said Jansen.

"I was playing pretty much every game at that stage but I don't know what the situation would be now.

"I'll take guidance off the club and see what they think is best, and what the doctors think is best for my recovery, then I'll go on from there."