STEVE Kean believes Mauro Formica and Ruben Rochina will prove to be ‘like two new signings’ after seeing them team up for the first time in the Rovers first team.

Argentine playmaker Formica scored his second goal in three pre-season starts in Saturday’s Premier League Asia Trophy win over Kitchee, while Rochina made his first start of the summer as a second half substitute.

Formica and Rochina arrived at Rovers for more than £4million between them last January but were unable to make any impact in the first team.

Now, having been at the club for six months, boss Kean is looking forward to seeing the duo play their part this time round.

He said: “When Formica first came to the club it was difficult because not only did he have to change to the method of training that we have at the club, but also the intensity of the league.

"I think even Michel Salgado has been quoted in the past that to change from a foreign league to the intensity of the Barclays Premier League is very very tough. It even took Michel three or four months.

“So for Mauro now and for Ruben Rochina, I think they have adjusted, they are working really well now and it is almost like getting two new players because they never featured too much in the first team last year.

“They’ve certainly showed signs that they are well up to speed and that can only be good for everybody.”