For someone who believes first impressions are everything, Tyrhys Dolan has certainly followed that through.

Since setting foot inside Brockhall, the talented teenager has been a bundle of energy, exuded confidence, but produced when it matters most: on the first-team stage.

The winger was signed initially to supplement Rovers’ attacking options within their Under-23s set-up, but his performances in training, and injuries to more senior players, opened the door for him to feature in pre-season.

His first touches in the opening friendly at Fleetwood Town were a confident break down the right flank and a cross for Adam Armstrong to sweep home, followed up by a goal at Blackpool three days later.

In Rovers’ two competitive matches so far he’s been the man Tony Mowbray has turned to in a bid to change the game, the manager describing Dolan as like a ‘fizzy bottle of pop’.

Dolan has certainly exploded on to the first-team scene, and could make it a hat-trick of senior appearances when Rovers travel to Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup tie.

It has been a huge rise for the former Manchester City youngster who was released by Preston North End in the summer, picked up by Rovers having caught the eye in an FA Youth Cup tie between the two sides earlier this year.

“First impressions are everything on people and I thought if I went in there with the right mindset that it would help put me in the position I find myself in now,” Dolan explained.

“I just thought that if I went in and gave 110 per cent first of all they would notice the energy I would bring to the team and the second thing was just to be confident, don’t show you’re afraid to mix with the other lads.

“I’ve always been a confident player since I was younger, I’ve always liked to express myself on the pitch and in training as well so I think that’s what caught the eye.

“I just like to be me, I will always go out there and be me, express myself and show everyone what I can do.

“As soon as I came to the club they’ve made me feel at home and welcome and helped me a lot and be even more confident to go out there and play my own game.”

For many, 2020 has been a year to forget but Dolan, who is confident yet far from arrogant, says it’s panned out better than he could have wished.

He opted for Rovers among interest from League Two side Carlisle United, but just months after turning out in non-league for Clitheroe, he’s impacting matches at Championship level.

“Not to sound selfish but for me it’s been a great year, I know it’s not been the best for everyone else, especially for the fans because I know how much they’re dying to get back in,” he added.

“But on a personal note it’s been amazing for me.

“I did always want to achieve these things but never in my mind did I think they would come so soon. It’s been a dream come true for me.”

Having ticked off his senior debut against Doncaster last month, league debut off the bench at Bournemouth, a first start is next on his to-do list, which he hopes will come as soon as tonight at St James’ Park, with Mowbray hinting at changes in the attacking areas of the pitch for tonight’s cup tie.

“It was, just because the team is full of great players so to be named in the squad was a big achievement,” he said of his involvement at the Vitality Stadium on the opening day of the Championship season.

“That would be a dream to be involved in a game at such a great stadium against a club with great history.

“To go and play there would be a great feeling.

“We go in to every game believing we can win, we trust our ability, we don’t get fazed by our opponents, we respect them but go into every game believing we can beat them.”