Blackburn Rovers starlet Connor Mahoney has publicly thanked new manager Tony Mowbray for believing in him, according to The Lancashire Telegraph.

Connor Mahoney has been introduced as a substitute in all four of Tony Mowbray's games in charge of Blackburn so far and the talented young winger grabbed an assist in the 1-1 draw with Cardiff on Tuesday night.

The 20-year-old expressed his delight at being given more playing time, saying:

"The new gaffer has shown a lot of faith in me – he’s putting me on not just with five or 10 minutes to go, he’s putting me on with half an hour to go which gives me the freedom to get in to the game.

“It showed in the last five minutes when I got the assist.

“I’m thoroughly happy with the gaffer who is trusting me.”

Targeting a breakthrough in the starting XI, the former England under-18 wide man said:

“I just need to keep doing what I’m doing when I’m coming on, having an impact on the game, and making things happen.

“Then when I do get the chance to start I know that I need to do it from the off and not just the last 20 or 30 minutes of a game.

“I think that will come with time and experience, I’m only 20 and still starting out, but hopefully that will come in the future.”

Blackburn fans - what do you make of these comments? Are you pleased that Mowbray is giving Mahoney more playing time? Let us know in the comments below...