Tosin Adarabioyo scored his third goal of what has been an impressive Rovers loan spell in the weekend win over Bristol City.

But it’s another City that will be on the mind of the 22-year-old as he nears the end of his Ewood Park stay.

The Manchester City man has made no secret of his desire to push for a spot in Pep Guardiola’s side, but believed another loan spell was crucial this season despite his time with West Bromwich Albion last term.

There he played much of his football at right back, but believes his time with Rovers is giving him chance to shine.

“I just felt like I needed to go out there and get some more games and prove what I can do,” he said in an interview with the Guardian.

“My aim has always been to get back to City and be a main player in that team. I felt I needed to go out again because last season I was predominantly playing right-back. I didn’t actually get to show what I can do.”

Indeed, Adarabioyo has even set himself the aim of captaining City in five years.

Guardiola saw his previous leader Vincent Kompany move on last summer, and despite losing Aymeric Laporte to long-term injury, City resisted the temptation of recalling Adarabioyo in January. 

The defender will be hoping a new contract follows on his return to the Etihad this summer, with just 12 months left to run on his deal.

And Guardiola’s uncertainty over whether he will buy a new central defender this summer will likely offer hope to Adarabioyo.

John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi have struggled to hold down places this season, with Spaniard Erik Garcia drafted in for a surprise start against Arsenal last week, while Academy defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis has also been given opportunities under Guardiola.

Adarabioyo has made four senior appearances for City, but the last of those came back in March 2018 a late substitute in a Champions League tie against Basel.

He is yet to feature in the Premier League, but will be encouraged as when asked about the possibility of signing a new centre back this summer, Guardiola told his press conference: "I don’t know that right now.

"The places I was - Barcelona, Bayern and here - when the club say we cannot afford it, we cannot afford it, but I don’t know, it depends on the people who stay. Maybe in the next two months the team make a step forward and we will stay with the same people. I don’t know right now."