Bradley Johnson has featured in 11 of Blackburn Rovers' first 16 games of the Championship campaign, but has found himself as an unused substitute for the last three.

The last seven games however have seen Johnson's form drop below his usual standard, thus being named as a substitute for five of Rovers' last seven games.

The 32-year-old joined Rovers on a free-transfer after leaving fellow Championship side Derby County over the summer, bringing over 200 games worth of Championship experience with him to Ewood Park.

Boss Tony Mowbray stated that he felt Johnson was the club's "stand-out" performer in August and has challenged the midfielder to reach those heights once again for the side.

Johnson has revealed he agrees with his boss and has told the Lancashire Telegraph that he is putting all the demands on himself to win back his place in Blackburn's starting XI.

Speaking on Tuesday, the 32-year-old said: "I’ve been disappointed, but I’ve been disappointed with myself, I know I’ve not been at it the last few games, I started the majority of games earlier in the season, have come out of the team for a bit and it’s hard to get up and going. But that’s down to me."

Rovers entertain bottom-club Barnsley on Saturday and will be looking for only their second win in nine games.

Johnson admits he has been putting in the "yards" over the international break and revealed to the Lancashire Telegraph that: "I’ve been working hard on the training pitch, doing extra, and I want to get in the team now, I want to win as much as anyone else."

Acknowledging that he won't play every week, Johnson added: "It’s a team game and I know I’m not going to play every game but when I do play I want to be at my best and hopefully I can do that and get back to where I was."

Johnson hasn't featured for the side since the defeat to Birmingham City in October and has watched Rovers' last three games from the bench, something he is clearly determined to change this weekend.

The Verdict

It is refreshing to hear a footballer openly admit that their form hasn't been up to scratch and lay the blame of being left out of the side at their own door.

At 32, Johnson has shown he still has the ability to be one of the better players in the Blackburn side, having won plaudits from his manager in the opening month of the season.

The midfielder will be hoping that Saturday's game with Barnsley could be a turning point for both himself and his club, with opponents winless since the first day of the season.

Should Johnson be recalled to the side and Rovers come away with three points, it could be seen as a vital turning point in their season.