BLACKBURN Rovers boss Gary Bowyer admits the competition to partner Jordan Rhodes up front is hotting up after Tom Lawrence delivered a devastating cameo on his home debut.

Leicester City loanee Lawrence set up Rhodes’ second goal on Saturday before sealing the 3-0 success over Charlton Athletic by opening his account for the club in thrilling fashion.

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The former Manchester United starlet’s previous three appearances for Rovers had come on the flanks.

But Bowyer believes his best position is the one he operated in after coming on for Fode Koita in the victory over the Addicks.

He said: “Tom Lawrence was outstanding when he came on.

“To make a contribution so quickly, setting up Jordan for his second, was brilliant, and his own finish was out of this world.

“He has the ability to play on both flanks and I’ve seen him play as a number nine, too.

“But I think in that position, behind a striker, he’s clever. He knows where to go at the right times and the little pockets he picks up.

“He’s made a hell of a start for us.”

Bowyer must now decide whether to recall Lawrence for Saturday’s trip to Hull City or keep faith with Koita who, despite coming desperately close, is still waiting for his first goal for the club.

The Ewood Park chief, who has also been pleased with the impact made by another summer signing, Nathan Delfouneso, said: “You saw the strength and power of Fode on Saturday, he ran his socks off.

“He’s getting closer and closer to potentially becoming a very good player.

“If he can just get a goal in the next couple of games, he can go on to another level.

“But then the competition is hot because Tom is an outstanding player.

“I’ve known him since he was a youth player at Manchester United and he’s always got goals, and wherever he’s been on loan, he’s always chipped in.

“But he’s now at an age when he can really kick on and hopefully that’s with us.”

Lawrence, 21, is currently the only player Rovers have on loan after Modou Barrow was recalled by Swansea City.

But Bowyer, who has space for two signings under the terms of the club’s Financial Fair Play embargo, remains keen to bring in a replacement for winger Barrow, who was a late substitute in Swansea’s 0-0 draw at home to Everton on Saturday.

Rovers’ squad could be boosted further for this weekend’s clash with high-flying Hull if the fit-again Chris Taylor comes through a behind-closed-doors friendly today unscathed.

The midfielder has yet to kick a ball this season after undergoing an operation at the start of last month to cure the groin problem that has troubled him since March.