Craig Conway said he never doubted his ability and was pleased to take his opportunity when it came as he targets a second consecutive Rovers start.

Conway was drafted into the team for Saturday’s win over Sheffield Wednesday as Rovers ended a disappointing week on a high.

The 33-year-old was making just a third start of the season, and first at Ewood since April, having been on the periphery of the first-team picture this season.

Rovers have a number of attacking options in their ranks, but boss Tony Mowbray turned to Conway after a run of disappointing results.

And the Scot didn’t let his manager down, turning in a fine performance which puts him in prime position to start at Middlesbrough on Saturday.

“I’ve waited a long time, I’ve been patient, I would never say there was a time I doubted my own ability but there’s a lot of excellent attacking options we’ve got here,” the winger said.

“I had to be patient, but you know that on the back of two defeats you might get a chance.

“I was pleased to get an opportunity and feel I more than took it.”

Mowbray has praised Conway’s human qualities as a leader in the dressing room, but has also been impressed with his workrate on the training pitch.

That has pushed his claims for a returning to the starting XI having featured in a central role in October’s draw at West Brom.

“It’s something that over my career has been the minimum that I do,” Conway said of his efforts in training.

“I work really hard and always do, I keep my head down in training and when the chance came I knew I had to take it.

“I felt I did that.”

Mowbray has used a mixture of Elliott Bennett, Harrison Reed, Adam Armstrong and Kasey Palmer in the wide areas so far this season.

Conway offers a more natural option out wide, and could benefit from an injury to Elliott Bennett who has suffered a slight fracture in his third metatarsal.

That could see him keep his place for the Riverside trip, something Conway would relish.

He added: “Every player wants to play in the games, particularly these big games.

“We have another one away at Middlesbrough and over the Christmas period we have a lot of tough games.

“I think if we play like we did on Saturday, play on the front foot and do what we do best then we will give everyone a game.”

Conway, who signed for Rovers in January 2014, was also fully behind the club’s decision to reward Mowbray with a new three-and-a-half year contract.

“He’s been excellent since he came in, the success he’s had,” he added.

“I think he would be more than disappointed about the last week so it was great to see him sign that contract and go on and win on Saturday.”