GRANT Hanley is relishing his defensive challenge at Ewood Park as he targets hitting the heights of his more experienced team mates.

The 20-year-old has already made seven starts this campaign, the same number as he made during the whole of last season, and insists the heavy competition for places will only drive on him.

Having started three consecutive games, Hanley dropped back down to the substitutes bench for the win against Swansea on Saturday after the return from injury of skipper Chris Samba.

Samba and big-money summer signing Scott Dann are expected to continue in the heart of the defence for the trip to Sunderland at the weekend, with club captain Ryan Nelsen due back from injury imminently.

With Gael Givet also capable of playing in the heart of the defence, Hanley accepts he has his hands full in his attempts to win a regular place – but he insists he would not have it any other way.

Hanley said: “The quality of centre half that we have got at Blackburn is very high, you can name a long list of good defenders here and battling for places.

“I don’t look at it as though they are in my way though I actually think it is good for me. It is a challenge because I have to look up at those players after everything they have achieved.

“For me personally it is about trying to catch them up and then trying to overtake them.

“Everyone at Blackburn Rovers is brilliant with us younger lads. The older lads are brilliant with helping us with bits of advice.

"It is a great club to be at for players trying to make their way in the game.”

Hanley made his Premier League debut in the last game of the 2009/10 season, a surprise 1-0 win at Aston Villa, and he followed that up with seven starts and two substitute appearances for the club last season.

Now, having made his Scotland senior debut in the Carling Nations Trophy in May, Hanley knows the next test is to establish himself as a Premier League regular.

He said: “I never really expected to play many games this season but I have played a few games already and that has been good for me.

“Playing for Scotland was brilliant because that was totally, totally unexpected. It was good for me and a great experience.

“All this has been a learning experience and I just have to learn from it all and kick on again.”

While Hanley may have to settle for a place on the substitutes bench on Sunday at the Stadium of Light, he knows the boost another win could have for Rovers’ season.

The weekend’s 4-2 win over Swansea has lifted Steve Kean’s men off the bottom of the league and Hanley hopes that result can build the momentum.

He said: “I got injured at Sunderland last year. I remember the game we lost 3-0 but we just have to look forward to the game on the back of a good win on Saturday.

“We just have to keep doing what we have been doing and trying to get a result. The performances of the last few weeks haven’t been too bad but I just don’t feel as though we have got what we deserved.

“Now we have got that win under our belt, it is about kicking on and trying to get a few points on the board.”