Harry Chapman can’t wait to dust off his boots and boost his chances of a quicker than expected first-team return.

The Middlesbrough loanee is set to feature for Damien Johnson’s table-toppers on Monday when Rovers Under-23s host Newcastle United at Leyland (7pm).

Chapman returned to Brockhall this week after five months out with a hamstring tear which required surgery. But Tony Mowbray believes the 20-year-old could be ready for a first-team return at Gillingham next weekend should he come through his Under-23s outing.

And Chapman said: “I want to get the first game out of the way, get a bit of trust back in my hamstring, going back to going past people and I will have my confidence up.

“I won’t be shy to then do it when I get back in to the team.

“That’s the biggest aspect.

“I know everything is fine it’s just in my head and getting my brain back in to playing again and trusting myself.

“I can get up to where I can in training but it’s not the same tempo or fitness as a match but a few matches under my belt I will be fine.

“It’s a long way back but it makes it all worthwhile when you step back on the pitch. I experienced it last year when I did my ankle, all the hard work and graft it’s a relief when you get back out there.”

Chapman became a favourite around the club in his 16 outings after signing on a season-long loan. And with Rovers pushing for promotion from League One, the England youth international was desperate to come back and help play his part.

“It feels like your first day again,” he told the club’s official website.

“Obviously there are some new signings who I know. It’s great to be back.

“It’s the same banter, I expected it but I enjoy the craic and I’m happy to be back.

“It’s been a long time but I feel good, I feel fit and I’m ready to fight for my place again.

“I’ve been every week on to the medical team at Middlesbrough ‘when am I back, how long until I can go back down there?’

“In the end I think they were sick of me asking!

“I came in the start of last week and they said they were looking to get me back this week and luckily everything went to plan.”