Bradley Dack clocked up 83 minutes and got a customary goal to his name as Rovers progressed in the Carabao Cup.

Dack captained the side as Jon Dahl Tomasson made 10 changes for the visit of League Two side Hartlepool United.

It was a first outing of the season for Dack who has been an unused substitute so far in the Championship matches.

Playing in his favoured No.10 role, Dack, Rovers’ most experienced player on the night, showed touches of his quality and also went close to scoring in the first half when he was just unable to turn home a Tyler Morton cross.

There were no issues from a similar chance as Tayo Edun delivered from the left early in the second half, with Dack on hand to turn in from close range.

He came close to what would have been a first completed game since February 2021, only to be replaced with seven minutes remaining.

Dack received a standing ovation, those inside Ewood Park making clear to the talisman that he remains firmly a fan favourite despite his lack of match minutes.

He is still building up his fitness, having played only 60 minutes in pre-season, though he did net in a friendly at Lincoln City. Dack has since backed up that with two behind-closed-doors matches.

Tomasson has fielded questions on Dack ever since his arrival, first about his lack of game-time in pre-season, and then about the potential of a starting place being under threat by the arrival of Sam Szmodics.

While Tomasson sees that as healthy competition, he was pleased to see Dack get some minutes into his legs. But his focus remains on the team, rather than individuals.

When asked how close Dack was to 100 per cent, Tomasson said: “I think it’s always difficult.

“He played a good game. He was very tired, I didn’t want to take him off, but he was tired in his legs because he worked hard and that’s important.

“For someone who did great things for this club it’s always disappointing when they get injured for two years.

“He’s working hard in every training session to get better.

“You saw some good things from him but also the rest of the team.

“It’s about grabbing the chance, it’s not about one player, the manager, it’s about the club, always.

“Team is number one.”

Dack will hope for a first involvement in a Championship match when Rovers host West Bromwich Albion on Sunday.

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