Blackburn Rovers manager Tony Mowbray has claimed that the whole of the Championship could soon be talking about attacking midfielder Joe Rothwell.

Following a slow start to the campaign, Rothwell has been handed back to back starts for the first time this season in their wins over Barnsley and Brentford, with his performance in the latter catching the eye in particular.

Speaking to the Lancashire Telegraph about the 24-year-old's performance against the Bees, Mowbray believes that more performances like that from Rothwell will see the entire division start to pay attention to the Blackburn man, with the Rovers boss saying: “I’m delighted for Joe. If the penny drops for Joe, this division will be talking about Joe Rothwell.

“The main thing with Joe is that he has to have shots, he has to be in those areas, he has to create chances and have efforts at goal. He had one that got blocked, should have done better with his chance.

“He saw half the goal, David (Raya) probably left him half the goal, and he read it."

Discussing how good Rothwell could be, Mowbray went onto make a comparison with one of those players in a Brentford shirt the midfielder came up against on Wednesday night, as he added: “As I’ve spoken about (Brentford winger Said) Benrahma, I think Joe Rothwell is just as talented, just as fast, he’s an exceptional player. But I think the penny has dropped that he needs to work for the team.

“He needs to get back, run back, not just go one way. I hope he’s started a run now where he plays every week and damages teams in this division and people become aware of Joe Rothwell.” 

Since joining from League One Oxford United in the summer of 2018, Rothwell has made 48 league appearances for Rovers, although only 18 of them have been as part of the starting lineup.

Both of Rothwell's league goals for Rovers came in an extended run he enjoyed in the side at the end of last season, with his effort in a 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest winning him the club's Goal of the Season award.

The Verdict

I think these will be hugely exciting comments for Blackburn fans to hear.

There have been plenty of calls from supporters for Rothwell to be handed a more regular starting spot this season, so the fact that Mowbray now seems open to that is only likely to build anticipation in the stands.

When you look at the fact that some of his best performances have come when he has been given those longer runs in the starting XI, it does make sense to give him such an opportunity again, in order to get the best out of the midfielder.

If that does happen, and Rothwell continues to trouble defences in the same way he has done to Barnsley's and Brentford's already this week, then there will be plenty of Championship sides who will surely have to start taking notice of the 24-year-old.