BLACKBURN Rovers striker Jonathan Stead has underlined his determination to prove he's not a one-hit wonder.

The former Huddersfield Town hit-man was a revelation for Rovers last season, scoring six goals in 13 league appearances, after making the step up from the Third Division to the Premiership.

Now the 21-year-old knows the pressure is on to repeat that devastating goal-scoring form during his second season in the top flight and he's desperate to show fans he's not just a flash in the pan.

"Last season went brilliantly for me, personally, and the club enjoyed a turnaround after I came here," said Stead.

"Things just seemed to go right from the start and I ended up doing well for the club so, hopefully, it will be the same again this season.

"At the end of the day, I don't want to do it for just half a season and that's it. I want to kick on now and do it for a few seasons to come.

"That's why this is going to be my most important season without a doubt.

"People will have seen me play now and they'll know what I'm capable of so they'll be looking to shoot me down at every possible opportunity.

"I'm going to have to work a lot harder this year, I know that, and I've been starting to do that during pre-season.

"But I can't wait for the start of the season and, fingers crossed, I can do what I did last time in terms of banging the goals in again."

Stead is relishing the chance to forge a new partnership with Paul Dickov, the man Graeme Souness brought in to replace Andy Cole at the start of the summer.

Like Stead, the former Leicester City man has a reputation for hard-work and Rovers' England Under 21 star believes he's the type of player that all the club's young players will be able to learn from.

"Paul Dickov has come in and he's got a fantastic work-rate, similar to myself, and he really likes to put himself about," said Stead. "I think that shows with the goals he's scored because he's had to work hard for them."