Rovers boss Jon Dahl Tomasson says it is great for everybody at the club that promising striker Harry Leonard has signed a new four-year contract.

Leonard’s new deal, which runs until 2027, was announced before Saturday’s 3-2 friendly defeat to Girona in which the 19-year-old led the line and scored Rovers’ first.

Speaking after the match, Tomasson told The Lancashire Telegraph: “It’s great that the club have managed to sign Harry on a new deal. It’s perfect for the boy, perfect for the club and our fans.

“He has a lot of potential. He’s still a young boy and he is doing some good things – like scoring an excellent goal today.”

“I’m really happy for him, pleased for the club – and everybody that he’s signed a new deal.”

Leonard scored 10 goals in 15 Premier League 2 games for Rovers Under-21s last season and featured on four occasions for the senior side in the Championship.

Tomasson added that while he doesn’t want to put too much pressure on Leonard, he does expect him to be a bigger part of his plans for the upcoming season.

When asked whether supporters can expect to see more of the exciting prospect over the course of the 2023/24 campaign, the Rovers boss replied: “Of course, but it’s about development and what’s he’s doing in training.

“The team picks itself, players pick themselves in that way. It’s just doing the right things in training and games.”

Sam Gallagher and Ryan Hedges both didn’t feature in either of Rovers two pre-season games this weekend, and Tomasson revealed that Gallagher will miss the opener at home to West Brom this coming Saturday.

Tomasson revealed: “Sam Gallagher will be out injured I think, until the game against Walsall.”

Hedges’ absence was only precautionary and the Welshman will train on Monday to prepare for the visit of the Baggies.

The friendly against Girona also saw new striker Niall Ennis get his first minutes in a Rovers shirt. The 24-year-old, who replaced Leonard in the 85th minute, arrived at Ewood Park last month after firing Plymouth to promotion from League One.

On Ennis’ fitness, Tomasson explained: “Niall hasn’t trained a lot with us yet. We need to build him up and we are doing that. It was good that he got a few minutes today.”

Tomasson hopes to continue getting the forward ready by including him for up to 45 minutes in an Under-21s game against Accrington Stanley at Ewood on Tuesday.