DANNY Graham is reaping the rewards of being fitter than he has been during Tony Mowbray's time at Ewood Park.

That's the view of the boss who has seen his experienced frontman net five goals in his last six home matches to take his tally to nine for the season in all competitions.

His latest strike, in the 3-1 win over Shrewsbury Town, came in his fifth consecutive start in a Rovers shirt, the first time he has started more than three games since Mowbray took charge in February.

Graham has had to be patient for his opportunities this term but has flourished in the lone striker role of late.

And asked why, Mowbray said: “Since I’ve been here he’s as fit as he has ever been.”

“He works really hard in training and I’ve spoken to him that when you get to 32 you have to push your body beyond where he thinks it’s comfortable.

“And Danny is doing that. If you want to extend your career, it’s not about me but I played until I was 37 and you have to live the life, to work really hard and be conscious what you put in your body.

“Danny has to keep doing what he’s doing at the moment, he’s doing exceptionally well and we’re reaping the benefits from that.

“I’m sure that Danny will want to finish top scorer, he has a way to go to catch Charlie but if he keeps performing like he is then he will get the opportunities to play in the team and when he’s on the pitch he looks like scoring.”

In their biggest game of the season to date, Rovers produced a 3-1 victory with two of their most experienced players, Charlie Mulgrew and Graham, finding the net.

That extended Rovers' unbeaten run in the league to 15 games and closed the gap to the automatic promotion places to two points.

And Mowbray added: “I was saying that your big players have to produce on the big days and two of ours did.”

“But I would have to say that Conway deserves a mention, a fantastic performance, Smallwood, Bennett playing out of position slightly but looking like he’s played there all of his life, big players produced big performances and ultimately when you need to win big games your big players have to make the difference at whatever level.

“Lionel Messi scores every week for Barcelona, Harry Kane scores every week for Tottenham, and your big players have to produce on the big days and ours did for us.”