Jon Dahl Tomasson isn’t overlooking the strides that Adam Wharton has already taken – but is demanding more from a player he feels is a ‘big talent’ for the club.

Teenage midfielder Wharton starred on his Championship debut against Blackpool in August and committed his future to the club by signing a five-year deal.

He has started each of Rovers’ three Carabao Cup fixtures this season, but hasn’t made the last four Championship matchday squads, despite Rovers’ inconsistent form.

John Buckley has equally struggled for minutes in central midfield before his recall at Norwich City, with 18-year-old Wharton hoping his chance will come in the Carabao Cup last 16 tie against Nottingham Forest tomorrow night.

It has been quite the rise for Wharton who wasn’t even a regular in the Under-21s a year ago, and while his ability on the ball is unquestioned, it is the other side of his game that Tomasson is looking for more.

And he believes challenging the England youth international is the best way to get the most out of him.

“Of course you need to think about it (the quick rise), I’m thinking about that, I’m not that patient as well and want to get him better and be demanding and the boy he also wants to do well and become better,” Tomasson said of Wharton who as 19th man at Carrow Road.

“To challenge a player and to improve a player is really important and Adam needs to be challenged.

“He’s a big talent for the club and that was a big reason why I gave him a chance at a very young age, a player who had never been involved before.”

Wharton made his debut in the Carabao Cup first round win over Hartlepool United having featured in each of Rovers’ pre-season matches.

He has since made 12 first-team appearances for the club, scoring his first goal in October’s win over Birmingham City, but he hasn’t been used in the last three league games since being replaced at half time of the league cup at West Ham.

There Tomasson felt the teenager struggled with the intensity, and stressed his work out of possession remain is a part of his game that is a work in progress.

He added: “He’s taken extremely good steps getting Championship minutes, starts in the Championship and in the cup against West Ham, so he’s making steps and we’re improving him the whole time.

“On the ball, I’ve told you many times, he’s extremely good, but as a footballer you don’t have the ball at your feet all the time.

“He’s working hard on that.

“He’s a young player who’s done a lot in a short period and we’re doing a lot to try and improve him.”

Dilan Markanday could get an opportunity in tonight’s league cup tie, with the winger still waiting for his first Championship minutes of the season.

Markanday has started each of Rovers’ three Carabao Cup ties and is a player who Tomasson believes has the potential to succeed, but that could see him leave on loan to further his opportunities in the second half of the season.

“Dilan is a good player and he’s been improving slowly,” Tomasson added.

“He’s a boy that I want to give him a chance and he needs to work still to become better because I see potential in Dilan.

“He could easily be one of the players who will be playing.”

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