It was almost a match-winning impact from Rovers’ Joe Rothwell off the bench against Millwall and he hopes it has planted a seed in Tony Mowbray’s mind.

He will likely get another chance to impress in tonight’s Carabao Cup tie at Carlisle United after acclimatising to working under the Ewood boss.

It has taken some getting used to, with the 23-year-old having come through what he admits was the toughest pre-season of his career.

A technician with the ball at his feet, it is his prowess for running with the ball from deep which persuaded Mowbray to sign him from Oxford United this summer.

There was interest in January, with Mowbray keeping tabs on the midfielder until the summer when he arrived for an undisclosed fee.

And on his debut off the bench against Millwall, Rothwell said: “He (Mowbray) spoke to me at the start of the second half and said that if I did get on, ‘get on the ball and show why we decided to bring you here’.

“I felt that I did that and hopefully planted a seed in his mind.

“I felt I showed what my game is about, picking up the ball and running past people.

“I almost managed to nick a goal which would have been nice but that’s what my game is about and hopefully I’ve got more to show.”

Rothwell operated from a role wide on the left against the Lions, something he did at previous club Oxford, having come through the ranks at Manchester United as a central midfielder.

But whatever his position, Rothwell says he looks to impact the game in the same way.

“I’ve always played more in the number eight role, picking up the ball and running with it from the deeper positions,” he added.

“Coming in from the left as I was on Saturday, I don’t mind doing that either as long as I’m picking the ball up in the right areas I can still run with it and pick a good pass.

“I’m happy to do either but preferably it is to play a bit deeper.”

It was one new boy for another when Rothwell replaced Chelsea loanee Kasey Palmer midway through the second half of the goalless draw.

Only a fine Jordan Archer save, after a driving run forward, denied Rothwell a debut goal in front of the Blackburn End.

And he added: “There was some adrenaline in there which played a part. Coming off the bench you always want to make an impact and I felt I needed to with the way the game was set-up.

“I felt coming on I could make something happen and almost did.”

Mowbray is an admirer of Rothwell’s talent, but the boss admits his new signing must fit in to his way of play - and that includes putting in the hard yards without the ball.

“That’s why he’s here, Mowbray said of Rothwell’s talents. “But he has to acclimatise to the workrate of this team.

“I have no fears about his quality, he is going to grow in to a really wonderful footballer but he has to understand that you have to run if you play in my team and if you don’t then you sit next to me.

“That penny is starting to drop, and it will with Kasey as well. He has amazing talent, I watch him every day in training and him and Bradley (Dack) it’s like watching a circus act the way they can link and play it around corners.

“He’ll learn that running is a part of the game and he will get there. Any other new signings will need to learn that as well.”

Rothwell could earn his first Rovers start in the cup tie at Carlisle United tonight.

And with three more Championship games before the end of the month, Rothwell hopes it can be a stage to showcase his ability to a manager he’s enjoying working under.

“I’m ready if the manager calls upon me, ready to go and hopefully catch his eye and plant a seed in his brain going in to the next league game on Saturday,” Rothwell added. “He’s a lot like my old Under-23s coaches at Manchester United in the way that he’s right at you.

“That can only be a good thing, he wants what is best for you and you don’t take it to heart if he says something you don’t agree with.”

Carlisle beat Rovers at this stage of the same competition in 2013, and Mowbray’s men will be eager not to fall victim to another shock this time around

“There are always games where a few lower league sides that will beat Championship sides and hopefully we don’t fall victim to that,” Rothwell added.

“If the manager decides to change the team then it’s a good opportunity for the lads who haven’t quite had the minutes yet to get some under their belt and plant a seed in his mind.

“Cup games can generate some momentum that you can carry in to the next games so the lads starting will do it looking to win.”