Tony Mowbray opted for pressing machine Tyrhys Dolan over Reda Khadra but felt the Brighton loanee and Dan Butterworth both showed their talent off the bench in the Peterborough United win.

Dolan was recalled after two matches on the bench with Mowbray believing that his ability to close down at the top end of the pitch, where he partnered Ben Brereton in attack, would prove to be effective against a Peterborough United side who like to play the ball out from defence.

It couldn’t have worked better as Dolan nicked possession from Nathan Thompson to tee up Brereton for a simple finish to give Rovers a 2-0 lead. That was just one instance of Dolan’s hard work off the ball, with the attacker on the end of some rough treatment from the opposition.

Khadra had started the previous two games, and impressed, but had to settle for a place on the bench, a casualty of the move to a three-man defence. And Mowbray felt it was a game for Dolan whose relentless work ethic was clear to see.

“Reda Khadra was disappointed but I felt it was time for Dolan to come back in because of what he brings our team,” Mowbray explained.

“We were playing against a team who believe in themselves and want to take the goal kicks short and I think Dolan is, if not the best player in the league at closing down from the front, then he’s one of them.

“What a kid, what a fantastic guy, and you see that from the stands sitting and watching him, running, chasing, fighting, tackling.

“He has to work on his composure and once that comes, as I’m sure it will because he’s so hungry to score and do well, he’s got a big future.”

Khadra had made six substitute appearances before being handed his first start against Sheffield United before the international break where he scored his first Rovers goal.

Mowbray stuck with the same side at Bristol City where the 20-year-old was one of Rovers’ brightest performers but made four alterations against Peterborough, including a switch in formation.

Khadra was called for on the hour to allow Brereton to get some vital rest moments after the Chile international had scored his 16th of the season.

Dan Butterworth was Rovers’ final change and the attacker looked hungry for goals, with three attempts during his cameo appearance as he looks to gain more experience at first-team level.

“Reda had to sit on the bench but came on and showed what a talent he is,” Mowbray added. 

“Danny Butterworth he wants to score goals, every time he gets it he’s looking for a yard to shoot off either foot and we’ve been working on his aerobic capacity.

“He missed two years with a fractured back and it’s not been easy for him to get up to speed but he’s worked really, really hard on his aerobic capacity to help the team out of possession and I see the signs that he’s going to be a really exciting prospect.

“He has to be patient with me, he gets disappointed when he doesn’t get off the bench but that’s a pretty good sign that he wants minutes on the pitch to try and score goals.”