Tyrhys Dolan says he will take confidence from his double in Rovers’ friendly win over Ajax – and was pleased to have his shooting boots back on.

Dolan scored twice against Ajax and despite the game being a mid-season friendly ahead of the return to Championship action this weekend, the 20-year-old was pleased to get on the scoresheet.

That came only a day after George Hirst, Bradley Dack and Sam Szmodics were on the scoresheet in a 4-0 win over Hearts as Rovers signed off their week in Spain in fine fashion.

Competition is high in the forward positions, with top scorer Ben Brereton and the fit-again Sam Gallagher also in contention, with Dolan knowing he has to maintain his standards to earn more starts.

Dolan lost his record of having featured in every game when not used against Burnley, but is eager for more match action.

“Definitely, that what I want to do, to be a mainstay in the team and I want to be a source of goals and assists,” he said.

“That’s my job, it’s my position, so hopefully this is a bit of fuel to kick on when the season starts.

“I saw the goals (against Hearts) and thought I needed to step up and I was buzzing for Hirsty, Dacky and Szmods and it’s great that all the attackers are doing what we’re supposed to be going, scoring and creating goals.”

Dolan was frustrated with his personal showing in the first half against Ajax, but he, like Rovers, were excellent in the second half.

His first was a composed finish over the goalkeeper, while his second was reward for good pressing work as he thumped the ball into the roof of the net after robbing the last defender of the ball.

“It was good for the team to come out here and get the two wins from the two games which is good, everyone worked hard and it’s about getting yourself right for when the season starts again,” he added.

“It was tough in the heat, it felt one of the longest games of my life pressing so much, it did take it out of you but the boys worked hard and got their rewards.

“I know it’s only a friendly but it was good, I felt I stayed quite composed.

“You always want to score goals.

“Even though it’s only a friendly I was still frustrated after the first half because I didn’t think I did as well as I could.

“You do take them serious, I was a bit annoyed at myself with the first 45 minutes and felt I came out and did really well in the second half and did well.

“You have got to be professional at all times, want the best for you and the team and give 100 per cent every time you go out there.”

While Dolan and the Rovers squad arrived in Spain on Monday night, his boots didn’t, meaning he faced a trip into Puerto Banus to buy some ahead of Tuesday’s first training session.

But thankfully his first-choice pair were on

“No, the ones I bought, I had one of the worst training sessions of my life in them.

“Thankfully mine turned up because I don’t think I’ have been able to perform like that in the other ones.

“They’ve gone in the bin now.”

TAKE OUT A SUBSCRIPTION...

GAIN UNLIMITED AND UNRESTRICTED ACCESS TO THE LANCASHIRE TELEGRAPH WEBSITE WITH A PREMIUM DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION