THE excitement Blackburn Rovers fans felt after seeing their side blow Wigan Athletic away with a sparkling second-half show on Saturday came as no surprise to Gary Bowyer.

After all he is the man who has assembled a team that is no longer solely reliant on the prolific Jordan Rhodes for goals.

MORE TOP STORIES:

From Rudy Gestede to Tom Cairney, and from Ben Marshall and to Craig Conway, Rovers now have threats right across their attack.

But, speaking ahead of tonight’s home clash with Derby County, Bowyer insists that there is plenty more to come.

“If you look at what’s happened over the last 12 months here it’s been about steady progression,” said the Rovers boss.

“I’ve been pleased with our performances since the start of the season but we were particularly pleased with how we played in the second half on Saturday.

“But if I’m being honest it didn’t come as a surprise to me because I know what we’re capable of doing.

“We can go even more – there’s more to come from us.

“So the message we’ve been giving to them is to give more and to be better than they were on Saturday because I don’t think, I know, they have the ability to go on again and produce another performance like Saturday or better.

“Does that excite me? Yes it does as there is more in there from them. We know that and they know themselves they can perform better.”

Rovers’ testing start to the campaign continues this evening when they welcome last season’s beaten play-off finalists to Ewood Park.

Derby come into the game on the back of a bruising 1-1 East Midlands derby draw at Nottingham Forest on Sunday in which defender Jake Buxton was sent off.

Bowyer, who used to work for the Rams, believes the fact that Rovers have had 24 hours extra to prepare for the match is an advantage should they choose to make the most of it.

“It definitely does make a difference,” said Bowyer, a former Derby academy coach.

“I watched the Forest game on Sunday and it was a typical East Midlands derby. It was fierce and high energy, emotionally as well.

“They are tough games and to have 24 hours extra rest could be vital to us.

“But having those 24 hours rest will only be to our advantage if we go out there and perform.

“That’s the main thing, we’ve got to go out there and perform and build on Saturday’s performance.

“Derby very narrowly missed out on promotion to the Premiership so that shows the level of the challenge that lies ahead.

“But it’s a challenge we’re looking forward to and it’s good measure for our lot, as was Saturday.”

Bowyer is likely to name the same squad as he did for the Lancashire derby against Wigan.

Midfielders Jason Lowe (foot) and David Dunn (knee) missed the 3-1 win and will be absent tonight along with left back Tommy Spurr (groin), who is getter closer to a return to training, and striker Chris Brown (knee), who is recovering from an operation.

“We’ve said to all the players to embrace the competition and they have done,” added Bowyer, whose side are unbeaten at home in their last nine league matches.

“There’s a great spirit amongst them and whoever gets the shirt is being backed by the others.”

One player certain to start tonight is midfield anchorman Corry Evans.

He said: “We’re looking forward to another big home game against Derby.

“Wigan are a good team, just like Derby, and I fully expect them both to be up there at the end of the season, so it’s an important period for us.”