In a first league start at Ewood Park in seven months, Craig Conway was determined to rise to his manager’s challenge of being more positive in his play.

Mowbray wanted to see more from the Scot, a renowned team player, in the final third after being recalled to the starting line-up against Sheffield Wednesday.

The boss has praised the 33-year-old’s application in training despite a shortage of action, with Conway’s recent involvement coming in a more central role.

But he was back in his usual post on the left wing, and impressed from the off, playing a part in the opening goal scored by Danny Graham while he should have claimed an assist moments before when Harrison Reed turned his inch-perfect cross wide.

In the second half Conway drew a fine save from Cameron Dawson and was never far from the action as Rovers got back to winning ways.

On winning back his place Conway said: “One of the discussions I’ve had with the manager is that he wants me to add more in terms of being more selfish in scoring and creating goals.

“That’s something that was in my mind to be that positive.

“At one point I was shooting on sight, and a couple of times I had chances, but to be involved in the goals and getting a win for everyone, I’m really happy, because it was a hard week.

“We took a lot of criticism and that’s probably the first time we’ve had that in about 18 months so it was great to answer that back and get back on the wagon.”

Conway now seems a certain starter when Rovers travel to the Riverside to face high-flying Middlesbrough on Saturday.

They do so after a morale-boosting three points against the Owls, but will need to improve on their most recent away days which saw them well beaten at Preston and Wigan.

Those poor displays offered an opportunity for Conway to earn a recall and he added: “It was brilliant to get a start at home, it’s been a while, particularly in the league.

“We all wanted to bounce back after the four or five days which were probably the worst under the manager and I’m sure he’s admitted that.

“The two derbies, it wasn’t like us and that’s probably what was so disappointing.

“Everyone connected with the club expected so much going in to those games and to come out with nothing was hugely disappointing.

“We wanted to prove that we were back at it and to be fair our home form has been excellent.

“Nothing less than three points would have done and I’m glad we were able to do that and it was a really good performance as well.”

It was the first time since August 2017, against Milton Keynes Dons, that Rovers had scored four goals in a league game at Ewood, and their first win of the season by more than one goal.

Conway added: “There was a lot of really good play in the lead up to the goals and Danny does what he does. It was great to see him get a hat-trick.”