BRADLEY Dack believes his first Rovers goal in the reverse fixture at Shrewsbury Town gave him the confidence boost he needed after a tough opening to life at Ewood Park.

His equaliser against Shrewsbury in September is one of 10 strikes in his last 18 League One outings after overcoming two separate hamstring injuries in the early months of the campaign.

And Dack says the impact of that goal shouldn’t be underestimated after yesterday being named the PFA player of the month for December.

“Even in that game I was playing out wide, struggling to get in to the game and wasn’t playing particularly well,” he said.

“The manager moved me in to the number 10 role with 20 minutes to go and I managed to get the goal and it gave me the confidence to go on from there and I haven’t looked back since then.

“It’s quite a big thing moving away from your family, it took me a little while to get settled and picking up those little niggles was tough to take.

“It took me five, six, seven games to get going and the goal definitely kicked me on and gave me the confidence I could play in this team.”

Dack’s strike is the only goal from open play that Shrewsbury have conceded in the league all season.  He was shortlisted for the SkyBet December League One player of the month but missed out to Wigan Athletic defender Dan Burn.

Rovers will be crossing their fingers that the former Gillingham man can stay injury free after his early season niggles, with Dack revealing his fitness is something he’s working hard on.

He added: “A couple of seasons ago I was doing really well and then got an injury in January.

“The fitness coaches have helped me with my hamstrings, it’s something I have worked on to make sure they’re kept strong and I feel fitter than ever and I think that has helped with the performances I’m putting in.”

Dack was named player of the year at this level in 2015/16 after 13 goals for Gillingham. He was joined in the team of the year by Adam Armstrong who netted 20 goals playing under Mowbray at Coventry, with the Newcastle United man making a loan switch to Ewood on loan.

And Dack said: “I’ve played against him quite a few times and he’s a very good player. He’s sharp, quick, and a good finisher.

“He’s played in the Premier League so to sign a player like that is very good and hopefully he can come in and score goals.”

“He likes to run in behind, use his pace and is a good finisher so hopefully it (a partnership) works really well.”