Lewis Holtby hopes his double in the win over Sheffield Wednesday has shown there is still plenty of life left in Rovers’ season, even without talisman Bradley Dack.

Holtby has taken over Dack’s No.10 role in the last two matches, and the question was whether he could replicate the goal output of Rovers’ top scorer who will miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury.

The 29-year-old isn’t a renowned goalscorer, with his double at Hillsborough taking him to 39 in his career, but it was the nature of them that will most please manager Tony Mowbray.

Only 48 hours Mowbray had challenged Holtby to get in the six more and score ‘the scruffy goals’ that Dack has long been associated with.

And two finishes from inside 12 yards, which helped put Rovers in to a 3-0 half-time lead, show a pep talk from the manager had certainly seemed to work.

Equally pleasing was the fact that Holtby, making his eighth start since singing on a free transfer from Hamburg, was able to complete the full 90 minutes for the first time.

The win, Rovers’ biggest in 19 years, ended a run of six without victory and moved them back in to the top half of the table.

And a delighted Holtby said: “For everyone at the club after six games without a win and coming to a tough ground and winning 5-0, I think from the start to finish everything just clicked.

“Even 11 v 11 I think we played a very good game, kept them away from our goal, were comfortable in possession, pace up front and got the goals. We’re delighted. Where to start and where to finish?

“For me, and everyone in this team, it’s a fantastic day. Playing 90 minutes and scoring, especially when we have players with the quality of Dacky injured, being there and trying to help the team and they know they’ve got someone there who can help the team.”

Holtby has had to wait patiently for his opportunity in the role behind the striker, having more regularly been used out wide since arriving at Ewood Park.

He has had to shake off a series of niggling injuries over the festive period to return to the starting line-up, but says the weekend’s win will undoubtedly give him confidence moving forward.

“I’ve played this position basically all my career, between No.6, No.8 and No.10,” he added.

“For me it’s waiting for the chance, working hard. I’ve been fighting with my body, trying to find a rhythm and get my body going to a stabilised position.

“I had a good chat with the gaffer, he gave me confidence and we spoke about that he trusts me and I wanted to show him why I’m, playing for Blackburn and why I’ve had a good career so far.

“These goals will give me a boost and enough belief and confidence to keep on doing the same week in, week out.”

Rovers played for over an hour against 10 men after Massimo Luongo was shown a straight red card.

A 19th minute Holtby goal had already put Rovers 1-0 ahead, and the midfielder felt it was the complete away performance.

He said: “We were leading, playing better, played a really good away game. I’ve seen games where a team goes down to 10 men they can be clinical.

“I think we were professional, composed, had a good change of rhythm, we struck in the right moments and it feels like a very good win. It should give us confidence and boost ahead of QPR at home.

“We can only reward ourselves with a win against QPR.

“We need to stay humble, use this as a benchmark, for the next coming games.”