Tyrhys Dolan says a spell out of the side only makes him work harder as he aims for a recall against former club Preston North End.

Matchwinner Reda Khadra replaced Dolan for the victory at Stoke City with the attacker fit enough only to make the bench after sustaining a series of knocks against Peterborough.

The teenager was also on the bench for games with Sheffield United and Bristol City but starred against Posh to claim a third assist of the season, and is eager for a 15th start of the campaign against his former club this weekend.

“It’s been a bit different being on the sidelines but it doesn’t knock me, it just gives me an extra reason to work harder,” Dolan said.

“Hopefully I get my chance back in the team and can sustain my place.

“I didn’t expect to be starting so many games but that was my aim, I wanted to be a starter in the team, provide goals and assist.

“I feel I have done that and hopefully I can keep it going.”

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There was the trademark celebration, but an added emotion, as Tyrhys Dolan celebrated his goal against his former club Preston North End at Deepdale last November.

After completing his somersault he took to his knees and raised both hands aloft to the sky, before quickly embraced by his team-mates. They knew what that moment meant to the teenager and not solely down to finding the net against the team who had let him go only months earlier.

Dolan dedicated the goal to close friend Jeremy Wisten who passed away a month earlier and after gaining support on social media, it was a goal that saw it named as the North West Football Awards’ moment of the 2020/21 season last week.

The one thing missing was a packed out away end.

“It was a big moment for me, an emotional moment as well dedicating it to my best friend but to also score against the team I was let go by, there was a lot of emotions for me,” Dolan recalled.

“I feel like I’ve come such a long way but it still feels brand new because I’m loving every single day.”

At the times of Wisten’s death in October 2020, Dolan was new to the club and to first-team football,but opened up about his struggles online and also to manager Tony Mowbray who the teenager praises for his unwavering support.

A recent clip of John Terry speaking about a players’ struggles during his time as a coach at Aston Villa reminded Dolan of his situation 12 months ago. Where others opted to keep their struggles personal, he opened up and has been widely praised for his work in promoting mental health.

He added: “It reminded me of myself when I went through my tough time.

“I remember getting in touch with the manager and he rang me straight away and we had a chat on the phone. He said that his door was always open if I needed anything and he was so supportive of me and I can’t thank him enough.

“All the supporters and team-mates they really helped the sad time that I was going through.”

Despite the entirety of last season being played behind closed doors, and fans not able to see Dolan in action first hand, he was able to break down that barrier through his use of social media.

His popularity has therefore extended beyond the immense progress he’s made as a footballer.

“That’s the power of social media, it does have its downfalls but that really helped me, the support that I got was just amazing,” Dolan explained. 

“His (Jeremy’s) family also, I can’t thank them enough for all the support they have given me.”

The opportunities given to him on the back off his hard work, leave Dolan in no doubt that moving to Rovers last summer was the right thing to do.

Having seen Adam Armstrong and Harvey Elliott, both recognised at the awards as Championship player of the year and Rising Star respectively, become regulars in the Premier League after their success with Rovers makes Dolan even hungrier for future success. 

“It’s a great club, from the staff, to supporters, to team-mates,” he added.

“From my personal experience I don’t think I could have come to a better club, one that made me feel so welcome.

“This club helped Harvey be the player he is now, this club helped Arma back into the Premier League so it goes to show the manager gives you opportunities and if he believes in you he’ll play you and you have to repay that by putting in good performances.

“It shows that it’s possible to get there.”

Rather than simply developing players to feature in the Premier League however, Rovers will themselves hope to get there.

They moved into the top six with victory at Stoke City, their fifth in seven games, heading into the weekend visit of Preston North End.

While there were great expectations of reaching the play-offs last season, there was less so this time around after a host of departures in the summer.

But Dolan says that doesn’t mean there isn’t a belief within the squad.

“We have to keep taking it game by game, this league has shown that anyone can beat anyone,” the 19-year-old said.

“We just have to keep working hard.

“We want to be in the top six this season and I think with the lads and staff we’ve got that we can do it.

“We had that confidence last season and unfortunately we didn’t but I think that’s given us more of an eagerness this season.

“We’re all working hard and trying to get in there.”