Dominic Samuel can have a big part to play in Rovers’ run in, according to Tony Mowbray.

Samuel started his first game in 18 months when leading the line at Charlton Athletic after four substitute appearances this term.

The 25-year-old spent more than a year out, following a serious knee injury in August 2018, but has battled back to fitness to take advantage of the opportunity that has come his way.

With Sam Gallagher ruled out of the last two matches with a groin problem, and Danny Graham having dropped to the bench, Samuel got the chance to play in his favoured central striking position, having been used from the right in his previous four substitute outings.

He ended a 26 month wait for a goal in the win over Hull City, before being rewarded with a start at Charlton, and Mowbray hopes a good week can be a confidence booster for Samuel who has endured a tough time of late.

The striker is out of contract this summer, but admits he isn’t focusing on that for now, with his manager wanting him to maintain a hunger that can see him prove to be a more than useful option in the final 13 games.

“The last 18 months have been a bit of a struggle for Dominic,” Mowbray said.

“His living situation during his long-term injury was a bit of a struggle because his family and the people he loves were all down south, near Reading and he was up north on his own, so it’s been a long haul for him.

“I’m just pleased with him since his return to the side.

“He looks lean, fast, mobile and looks hungry to score goals.

“Let’s hope he can grab a couple to keep that hunger going in order to help our team out over the last 13 games of the campaign.”

Samuel was part of another new-look frontline for Rovers as Adam Armstrong moved to the left, with John Buckley recalled to take on the No.10 role.

Midfielder Buckley, making just his fourth league start of his career, has largely been used in the wide areas by Mowbray so far to ease him in to the game.

But the 20-year-old was in the thick of the action at The Valley from early on, opening the scoring with his second goal of the season on the half hour mark.

While Buckley is happy to take up any role on the pitch, he admits his main aim is to get on the ball as much as possible, something he did to good effect against the Addicks.

“I’ll play anywhere, just anywhere I can get on the ball and show what I can do,” he explained.

“There’s opportunities there, I thought I did well and hopefully I can keep my place next week.

“We played a bit of a different shape but I was just trying to find the ball as much as I could, playing off the shoulders of their midfielders.

“The conditions were alright, we got used to it and didn’t really think about it, just trying to concentrate on the game.”

Rovers are having to battle against a growing injury list, but have now taken more points (32) than any team in the Championship since returning from the November international break.

And paying testament to the group, Buckley said: “The whole team worked well. It puts us in a great position now, pushing for the play-offs.

“We have a few hard games coming up now, that’s Championship football, anything happen.

“We have to train well, have the right mentality and hopefully get good results.”

Buckley is one of a number of Academy graduates benefitting from opportunities coming their way, with central defender Hayden Carter having been part of the matchday squad for the first time.

And while his game is clearly developing enough to be handed the chance, his singing may need some work, with both Buckley and manager Mowbray admitting the 20-year-old’s initiation song left a lot to be desired.

“It wasn’t the best. It needs a bit of work,” Buckley joked. “I did mine in Austria in pre-season, the build-up is worse.”