Lewis Travis isn’t underestimating the importance of a strong pre-season as he looks to break into the first-team picture.

But the versatile Rovers youngster acknowledges the rise he’s had in the past 12 months after a breakthrough year in 2017/18.

Travis featured 10 times for the first-team as well as playing a key role in helping the Under-23s win the Premier League 2 Division 2 title.

He wasn’t part of the first-team squad which headed to Austria last summer, but looks set to be part of the travelling squad when they head out for their week-long training camp on Sunday.

And the 20-year-old is looking to push his claims to be in Tony Mowbray’s thoughts following Rovers’ promotion to the Championship.

“I know what I need to do going into pre-season,” he told the Lancashire Telegraph.

“Every season is a big year, but particularly this one with what I accomplished last year.

“I want to kick on and looking to become a first-team player.

“I want to become a regular, playing week in, week out.

“It’s always good to know the gaffer and other coaching staff are praising you and giving you feedback like that, which gives you confidence.

“I felt quite unlucky last year not to get on the plane but hopefully this year I’ve been working hard to get there and hopefully I’ll have done enough.”

Travis featured in two Checkatrade Trophy matches, and two FA Cup ties, before making his league debut as a substitute in the 3-1 win over Shrewsbury in January.

A standout display in the 2-2 draw with Oldham the following month showed his capabilities, though a red card against Portsmouth restricted his opportunities thereafter.

Boss Mowbray is known to be an admirer of Travis’ talents, with the youngster, who has shown promise in central midfield after starting out as a full-back, expected to be around the senior squad next season rather than be sent out on loan.

He was an unused substitute in the first pre-season fixture of last season at Barrow and struggled for minutes with the first-team.

Though he was to feature 10 times in all and was rewarded with a long-term contract earlier this year.

And on just why he feels there has been such a turnaround in fortunes, Travis added: “Probably the gaffer giving me chance and maybe a bit of luck in getting out on the pitch.

“Him giving me an opportunity and me taking it is probably the foothold I need to push on.

“You need to playing well week in week because your chance will come, through injury or suspension, you need to be in good form to take it.

“I was given the time to play and to be given a new contract was great and gives me that bit of security with the club because this is the club that I want to be playing for.”