TONY Mowbray admits Joe Nuttall will be in his thinking when it comes to team selection after netting three goals in the space of a week.

Nuttall scored in draws against Fleetwood and Rochdale as well as the FA Cup win over Barnet within the space of seven days after making the step up from the Under-23s.

Mowbray is keen not to put too much pressure on the 20-year-old given his limited experience, but the boss admits his performances and goals make him a difficult player to leave out.

He said: “He’s already part of the first-team squad. He’s trained with us for the last couple of weeks every day.

“Joe’s a young guy and it’s very important not to overburden him, but he’s done exceptionally well.

“What can’t he do? He can compete in the air, he can run in behind, he can hold the ball up, he can score with either foot and his head.

“So he’s going to be there or thereabouts in every selection from now on, as long as he keeps working as hard as he does.”

Nuttall has netted 12 goals for the Under-23s in just 10 games and has four in five for the senior team.

That includes goals on his Checkatrade Trophy, FA Cup and League One debut, and Mowbray added: “I watch as much of the Under-23s as I can. I’ve seen every home game and I’ve watched them away from home as well, and he knows where the back of the net is.

“The ball likes him in the box I think, which is telling me that he’s got good movement, good anticipation and I can see what he brings to any football team.”

Life in the first-team has started well for Nuttall who will be eyeing his first league start when Rovers travel to Bury on Saturday.

On the striker’s development, Mowbray said: “The levels are what you have to find. He’s shown that at Under-23 level can cope with that no problem.

“He’s showing at League One level that he can cope, so let’s wait and see how he moves on and hopefully moves forward. We’ll see how much he impacts the first team.”