Ben Brereton believes he is benefitting from having a full pre-season under his belt.

Brereton signed for Rovers three weeks in to last season and had been frozen out at former club Nottingham Forest before his switch to Ewood Park.

He struggled to make an impact in his first full season, scoring his first goal in an Easter Monday win over Bolton and making just four Championship starts after his £6m move.

Boss Tony Mowbray maintained faith in the England youth international that he would come good, and there have been signs in pre-season, that used in his more favoured central striking role, that he could have a big impact this campaign.

He scored in wins over Bury and Blackpool and twice in a behind closed doors match with Rochdale.

And the 20-year-old said: “We’ve had a good pre-season, we’ve done some good work both on and off the ball and everyone’s feeling great and excited for the weekend now.

“Last season I didn’t really have a pre-season at all and I think everyone will agree that a pre-season under your belt really does help.

“Playing games and getting game time puts you in good stead for the regular campaign. All the lads have put 100 per cent in this summer and we’ve all been handed game time, whether it be 45 minutes, 60 minutes or the full game.

“I think I’ve done well when I’ve been playing and have scored some goals. I’m happy and the team’s done very well as well.”

Rovers begin their Championship campaign at home to newly promoted Charlton, but have a tough opening month with games against recently relegated Fulham and Cardiff.

But Mowbray’s side were unbeaten in pre-season, and Brereton feels they are in good shape after a positive summer on the training pitches.

“We’ll go into the Charlton game unbeaten and with the winning mentality after two wins and two clean sheets in the last couple of pre-season matches,” he added.

“We want to take this form into the league and win as many games as we can.

“Every day in training the lads are all right on it. Some of the quality is unbelievable and we really believe we can do something this term, that top six place is what we all want.”