Jacob Davenport says not being able to show the Rovers fans what he’s capable of has meant for a frustrating start to his Ewood career.

The summer signing is nearing a comeback after coming through 75 minutes for Rovers Under-23s in yesterday’s Lancashire Senior Cup quarter final win over Blackpool.

Davenport is yet to feature for the first team after two separate injuries in the early weeks of the campaign having been a regular during pre-season.

The 19-year-old, who played an hour of the Under-23s defeat to Brighton last week, expects to play once more for Damien Johnson’s side before being available to push for a first team spot.

“It has been frustrating not being able to show the qualities I’ve got yet,” Davenport said after Rovers’ 6-0 win at Brockhall.

“Hopefully that will come now I’ve got the minutes under my belt and I can stay out of the physio room and kick on.

“I’ve been back training for a few weeks now so the next stage is building up the minutes.

“Apart from Friday night, my last game was the pre-season game at Accrington so it was good to get the minutes.

“I’ve had 60 minutes and 75 now and hopefully I can get 90 minutes in me soon.

“I just need that match sharpness and as many minutes as I can.”

Davenport, who joined on a four-year deal from Manchester City, has spent much of his early weeks as a Rovers player in the treatment room.

But that hasn’t stopped him settling in at his new club after ending his association with the Premier League champions in the summer.

 “It’s been new joining a new club, new things, but I’m looking forward to the challenge of trying to get in to that first team side,” added Davenport.

“Settling in has been easy, but I’d liked to have been fit and been with the lads every single day.

“I’ve been in the gym most of the time, but the lads have been good with me and have settled me in well.

“The mood is strong, it’s a tight-knit group and we’re in a good position in the table and hopefully we can do big things this year.”

Having signed a four-year deal, Davenport is seen as a long-term project for Rovers boss Tony Mowbray, with the midfielder’s first team experience confined to 17 Championship appearances during a loan spell at Burton Albion last term.

On his dealings with Mowbray, Davenport added: “He’s been positive with me, telling me to keep my head up and not get too frustrated with the injuries.

“Hopefully when I can get back fit I can push to get in that matchday squad and then get in the team week in week out.

“I need to get my head down and believe in myself.”

Mowbray has gone with his preferred central midfield duo of Corry Evans and Richie Smallwood in all but one of Rovers’ 14 league games so far.

The boss has specific roles he likes his central midfielders to fulfil, but Davenport believes he possesses them and vows to push his claims for a starting spot.

“You have to be physical, on the front foot and be good on the ball,” he said of the manager’s demands.

“He likes aggressive midfielders, on the front foot, composure, everything a midfielder needs.

“I think I’ve got within my game, it’s just getting that now with my match fitness and coming back from injury it’s been about getting that back.”