For the first time in two years Dan Butterworth isn’t playing catch-up with his fitness and says his time has to be now to kick on and back-up the potential that has been spoken about for so long.

Now 21, Butterworth has been around the first-team for the last three seasons, but injuries have restricted his opportunities, his last outing coming off the bench in the December defeat at Stoke City.

That was a first appearance for the senior side in 20 months, Butterworth having previously played three times in the 2018/19 season but has since been frustrated by a series of injuries.

His fitness has been managed closely following two extended periods out with back trouble, with his return in December then followed by three months out, but he did end the season with three outings for the Under-23s.

His record in youth football has been particularly impressive, 14 goals in 21 matches for the Under-18s backed up by 17 goals and six assists in 54 outings in Premier League 2.

It is that talent which has won praise from both Tony Mowbray and Academy counterpart Billy Barr who has worked closely with Butterworth ever since his arrival from Manchester United, and believes there has been an extra maturity to his play.

And now the attacker is hoping to prove his fitness and readiness for first-team football during pre-season.

“I’m 21 now, that might be young in some people’s eyes, but I feel like I am getting older and hopefully haven’t missed the boat, can show everyone what I’m about and hopefully kick on,” he told the Lancashire Telegraph.

“I just need to stay fit, if that happens then I know the gaffer has trust in me, knows what I can do, and this year I’m not playing catch up like I was last year.

“I’m with the lads now so let’s see how it goes.”

Butterworth was one of a crop of young players afforded chances to impress at AFC Fylde, with several senior players not involved at Mill Farm, and it was his second half cameo that stood out as one of the main positives.

His backing from Mowbray has always been clear, and with no new faces through the door, and less than four weeks from the Championship opener, Butterworth can sense an opportunity.

“That’s what he said to us, he doesn’t know the starting XI, it’s down to us and it’ll be down to whoever works the hardest in training and everyone knows if you do then you’ve got a chance to be in the team,” he added.

There were opportunities in the pre-season of 2019 for Butterworth who was then aiming to build on his Championship debut against Bolton Wanderers in April of that year.

However, back trouble became an unwanted problem and meant it wasn’t until a substitute appearance at the bet365 Stadium in December that he was back on the pitch at first-team level.

He worked closely with Bradley Dack during his first rehabilitation period from an ACL injury, and he hopes the hard yards off the pitch he’s put in can now be rewarded.

He said: “The first game is always the hardest from a physical side of it but you’ve got to drive through it and get out of your comfort zone.

“It’s like a normal pre-season, pre-Covid, everyone has had a break and is looking forward to being back, starting the season and starting it right.”

The Fylde friendly followed on from a week-long training camp in Scotland, Rovers taking the opportunity to spend time away from their Brockhall base.

As well as the hard work on the training pitches, Butterworth felt there was a togetherness around the group which was supplemented by a number of the Under-23s squad.

“Scotland was tough, hard work, but everyone enjoyed it and there was a good team spirit around the place so it was good,” he explained.

“Everyone is really close, the older lads have been good with the younger lads, involve you, and there’s always a good camaraderie.”

Another positive from the Fylde friendly was the return of Rovers supporters who were taking in their first match since February 2020.

“It was good, miles better, a proper atmosphere,” Butterworth said. “It makes you concentrate, you don’t really hear it when you’re playing, but to see them when it’s great.”