ROVERS boss Tony Mowbray says there will become a time when Harry Chapman will be used from the start but that the Middlesbrough loanee is set to continue in his role as impact substitute.

Chapman scored his first goal for Rovers in the 2-0 win over Rotherham United on Tuesday to round off yet another impressive cameo off the bench.

The 19-year-old has been used as a substitute in seven of Rovers’ opening nine league games, and Mowbray admits the winger’s impact makes him one of the first players he turns to from the sidelines.

The manager says he is well aware of the clamour from fans for Chapman to start games, but says the teenager having an impact on games remains the most important thing.

He said: “It was great for Chapman to score, I know the fans are asking for Chapman to start games but there will be a spell this season when he will, but at this moment he’s a very young boy making a big impact when he’s coming off the bench and at the moment I think that’s best for the team that he does make an impact.

“We do need to be solid and stay in football matches and he understands that, he’s not banging on my door saying ‘why am I not starting?’

“He’s a young boy who’s learning the game.”

Chapman arrived at Rovers on the eve of the new League One season on a season-long loan deal from Middlesbrough. He has settled in quickly both on and off the pitch, and Mowbray is keen to see him keep progressing.

He added: “Everyone likes Harry, he’s a fantastic kid, he’s living away from home at a young, delicate age.

“He’s great to watch on the training pitch, he’s a bit grumpy sometimes, but he’s showed his talent and quality and when we need something to happen on the pitch he’s usually the first guy I look at and there’s some pretty big names sitting behind me on that bench.

“Within 10 seconds of coming on he’s whizzed past three players and put a ball in to the box, so I’m happy with him.”

Rovers could, and probably should, have scored more than the two goals they did.  Marcus Antonsson passed up several good chances, while Dominic Samuel was twice denied by the goal-frame.

He said: “Antonsson could have had a hat-trick, Samuel was so unlucky, one hit the bar, he hit the post, he needs a goal but he’s working hard and his hold-up play is improving every game.

“I’m happy the fans saw a victory at home and let’s try and follow that up with another positive result and performance at home and go in to the international break happy.

“When we play the games that we have missed then hopefully the league will start to look a little more even for us.”