REKEEM Harper believes he is learning a lot from his experiences at Rovers both on and off the pitch.

Harper admits waiting for a sustained run in the team is part of the learning process that he has to go through as a young footballer with just one League One appearance to his name since joining from West Bromwich Albion on loan.

The 17-year-old says the advice from the likes of Danny Graham and Peter Whittingham has been invaluable, while the younger members of the squad have helped him settle in at the club since his deadline day move.

“I get a bit of both through all of the players so it’s a good experience,” Harper told the Lancashire Telegraph.

“I’m learning a lot off the pitch as well as on it.

“There are lads like Dom (Samuel), (Bradley) Dack and Derrick (Williams) who are all quite young so we all have similar kinds of conversation and banter.

“Then we have got Danny Graham and Peter Whittingham who are more experienced and tell me about how their careers have gone.”

Harper’s one start for Rovers came in the 1-0 win at Scunthorpe on September 12 with his three appearances since coming in the cup competition.

Two full games during the break from league action, in the FA Cup win over Barnet and Checkatrade Trophy game at Rochdale, have helped Harper push for his cause for a starting spot in the league.

The midfielder is set to be in the squad for the trip to Bury on Saturday where Rovers will be looking to get their season back up and running after just one victory in their last five league outings.

He added: “We have gone through a bit of a rough patch where we haven’t won too many games but we are all still confident.

“We have a big squad, a lot of quality in the squad and if we can win this weekend then I think we can get a run going.

“It’s just about staying confident, believing in the way that we play and we will get the results because we are a good enough team.”

Harper was one of just three players to start both of Rovers’ cup outings so far this month, with the more regular faces set to return to the side at Gigg Lane.

But the teenager is keen to impress whenever he gets an opportunity to stake his claim.

“Match fitness was what I wanted from the last couple of games because I feel that if I can get around the pitch in games then everything will take care of itself,” he said.

“That’s what I’m looking to do and that’s what the manager wants to see from me.

“I trust my football ability when I get the opportunities and get more streetwise in this league.

“I don’t want it to be nice and easy because then I would just go back to West Brom and I wouldn’t have learned that side of the game.

“If I can get that side of the game then I think I will have better chance of having a good career because I would be able to adapt.”