John Buckley is eager to make his mark after last season was cut short by an untimely knee injury.

Buckley made 28 appearances in all competitions prior to the injury, which he suffered during the 3-2 defeat at Stoke City.

The 23-year-old has featured in pre-season as he aims to build up his sharpness ahead of this weekend’s curtain raiser against West Brom.

He is keen to get off to a positive start against the Baggies as Rovers aim to hit the ground running in the Championship.

“It has come around quickly,” said Buckley. “First and foremost, we want to win the game and start well. We started well last year.

“Pre-season is for building connections with new signings and the young lads. But the business starts this weekend and we want to start well.

“There are a lot of games, it’s a long season. But if you start off well, it helps.

“We know what the gaffer expects now and the standards he has brought. Last year, it was the unknown really but it has been a bit different this pre-season.”

The Academy graduate spent time recovering from the injury during the off-season and admits he is still finding his feet.

“I’ve kept building my fitness up, trying to be tidy on the ball and add things that the gaffer wants,” Buckley continued.

“I am getting there but I’m not fully there yet. I’m still a bit rusty with a few things, but that is what pre-season is about.

“It (takes time), especially after a long injury like that. But that is behind me now and I want to keep moving forward and improving on things.”

Buckley got more than an hour under his belt during the 1-0 win at Stockport County at Edgeley Park last week.

The 23-year-old is keen to play as much as he can over the coming season and hopes Rovers can go one step further than last term, when they missed out on a play-off spot by the slimmest of margins on the final day.

He reckons there have been promising signs in pre-season but also some areas they can improve heading into the new campaign.

“It’s good to keep building the fitness up and obviously do the principles the gaffer wants,” Buckley explained.

“We played some decent stuff at times (at Stockport) but also sloppy at times, so it’s good to keep improving on that.

“Obviously, I want to be playing as much as I can and hopefully help the team get into the play-offs and get promoted. I will just do all I can do and concentrate on myself.”