ROVERS striker Danny Graham saw promising signs in his embryonic partnership with Anthony Stokes after they were paired together for the first time at Rochdale.

Graham scored his third goal in three games in the 1-1 pre-season draw at Spotland, and linked well with his new teammate as Owen Coyle’s side were unlucky not to be further ahead by half-time.

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Stokes had an effort saved and a shot deflected over the bar, as well as linking up with Graham for a nice one-two that saw the former Sunderland striker force Dale keeper Josh Lillis into an excellent stop as the interval approached.

Graham now wants to get more minutes under his belt at Blackpool on Saturday, as well as continue to build the relationship with Stokes that Rovers fans hope will fire them to success this season.

He said: “I think it went really well. When the ball came up he (Stokes) was in the right positions to flick it down and I think we had a couple of chances from that.

“We maybe could have been two or three up at half-time.

“That wasn’t to be and it’s all about relationships with the new boys and I think that did no-one any harm.

“We can see from his record at Celtic he’s a quality player and if we can build a relationship and do well for the team, that benefits everyone.”

Graham’s 11th-minute opener saw him head home Elliott’s Bennett’s right-wing cross and he was just pleased to keep up the scoring record that has also seen him find the target against SV Ried and Bury.

He added: “I’m delighted with how it’s gone. It’s nice to score goals, even if it is pre-season friendlies. Each game I feel better. Obviously the heat didn’t help, it was very humid and it took its toll on a few players, but it was a good exercise.

“We moan when it’s cold and when the sun comes we don’t want to play football in it.

“It was hard work, but it’s all going to be beneficial come the start of the season.

“It was a bit fortunate the one on Saturday (against Bury), I think it took a bit of a deflection, but it’s nice to score goals no matter what the game is.”

Graham spent the second half of last season on loan from the Black Cats, scoring seven goals in 18 games, and made the move permanent shortly after Coyle arrived to take over from Paul Lambert.

The 30-year-old added: “It couldn’t have gone better, to be honest. Obviously it’s nice to get everything sorted and go straight into games, start scoring and build up that fitness.

“It’s been very tough (the pre-season), probably the toughest one I’ve done, but I think I needed it.

“It will benefit me and hopefully benefit the team as well.

“I’ve started well but I want to take that and make sure I’m ready for the first game of the season against Norwich.”