International recognition for ‘amazing human being’ Tyrhys Dolan is great credit to his efforts since moving to Rovers, according to Tony Mowbray.

Dolan has received his first England Under-20s call-up having been named in Andy Edwards’ squad for upcoming matches with Poland and Germany.

He has starred in his 71 appearances since signing on a free transfer following his release by Preston North End in July 2020, scoring his fifth goal of the season in the midweek win over Derby County.

He is one of six players called up by their countries for the international break which follows today’s game at Reading.

And on the 20-year-old, Mowbray told the Lancashire Telegraph: “Dolan, you see him beaming, it’s amazing to think he’s a player who got released by Preston North End 18 months ago and he’s now getting international recognition.

“An amazing human being. I think he epitomises what a top professional footballer is.

“He’s so young, he’s going to have a top career I’m sure.

“He’s been left out of the team for a good few weeks, brought back in because sometimes I think the amount of work he gets through he can become a little bit stale and forget what he has to do.

“He has to score goals, not just run around, get in the box, be a threat and sometimes you have to refocus that.

“What an amazing kid, whatever he gets from his career he’ll deserve it because no-one works harder than Tyrhys.”

Brighton loanees Jan Paul van Hecke and Reda Khadra received their first call-ups to the Netherlands Under-21s and Germany Under-21s set-ups respectively, while Thomas Kaminski and Ben Brereton were again called up by Belgium and Chile.

Mowbray was also delighted to see captain Darragh Lenihan seeing his form rewarded with a first call-up of the season to the Republic of Ireland squad having won the last of his two caps four years ago.

The leadership of the Rovers captain, as well as his form in the impressive defensive return, has been widely praised by the manager, particularly given the uncertainty over his long-term future with his contract set to expire this summer.

“That’s great credit to them,” Mowbray added.

“It’s great for the lads to be involved with their international set-ups.

“Lenihan, no-one deserves it more than Lenihan. He’s been amazing for us.

“With his contractual situation I’ve not had to question his mindset but the professionalism he’s shown when he’s running out of contract has been amazing.

“Great credit to them, it’s an honour to play for your country, hopefully they all get some game-time and then we’ll come back and assess them for the game against Coventry of who we feel is ready and available to play.

“That’s why you need options and we’ll address it as we get to that moment.”