JUNIOR Hoilett remains the enigma of Ewood Park as his Rovers career continues to baffle those who know him the best.

With electric pace, an abundance of skill and an eye for goal, it was no surprise that Hoilett was earmarked ‘the best of the bunch’ when he emerged from the youth ranks at the start of last season.

Fast-forward 12 months though and the 20-year-old has yet to deliver.

While the likes of fellow youngsters Phil Jones, Martin Olsson and Steven Nzonzi have jumped ahead of him to establish themselves as first team regulars, it just hasn’t happened for Hoilett.

Monday night’s dazzling display in the reserves’ 2-2 draw with Manchester United showed why no one at Rovers is about to give up on the Canadian any time soon.

Playing just behind the lone striker, Hoilett created Jason Roberts’ first and then scored the second himself from the penalty spot after being fouled himself by goalkeeper Conor Devlin.

Magnus Eikrem’s last-gasp equaliser took some of the gloss off the evening for Rovers but Hoilett’s display was another timely reminder of why the club has shown so much faith in him over the years.

From bringing him to England from Canada at the age of 13, to funding his loan spells in Germany, to battling fiercely in a long-drawn out visa saga, Rovers have already put a lot of time and money into Hoilett’s development.

He has yet to repay them on the Premier League stage yet, where it really matters, but the most frustrating aspect with him is you know he is capable of becoming a real prized asset.

When he is doing what he does best, Hoilett would offer Rovers something they are short of at the moment – pace and the ability to beat a man.

Sadly, at the moment every first team chance he gets he seems to freeze and Hoilett will know himself the time has come to start fulfilling his undoubted potential.

ROVERS: Fielding. O’Connor, Aley, Pearson, Gunning, Andrews (Parry 70), Doran, Linganzi, Roberts (Maclaren 70), Hoilett, Morris.

SUBS. Potts, Urwin, Ramm,