Adam Armstrong says a warm welcome has been behind his excellent start to life at Rovers after winning the League One player of the month prize.

Four goals in five starts during February, including a first for the club on his 21st birthday, saw the Newcastle United loanee claim the February award.

Armstrong has impressed during his time at Ewood Park following his loan switch and hopes his goals can help fire Rovers to promotion from League One.

“It’s brilliant, I think I have had a good month and the team has done well and pushing towards the top of the table and then trying to stay there,” the 21-year-old said.

“We’re putting in the performances every week and I would like to dedicate (the award) to the players around me and those that have helped me through this month.

“The togetherness has been unbelievable, everyone has made me feel welcome and it’s amazing to be around that sort of atmosphere.

“It’s about the team. If I’m scoring then that’s a plus.

“It’s very rare that you get one of these (awards). I have to keep working hard and make sure I keep going.

“We’re top of the league, I’m chipping in with the goals, the lads are playing well and you can’t ask for much more.”

Armstrong was recalled by his parent club from his spell with Championship side Bolton Wanderers during the first half of the season in which he netted just three times.

Tony Mowbray was quick to snap up the England youth international after the pair worked together at Coventry City in 2015/16.

The forward has made just one league start for Newcastle, but admits his focus is on helping Rovers to promotion, rather than his long-term future.

He said: “I’m a pretty level headed guy and I’m just getting on with the job infront of me and that’s putting my all in for Blackburn and I think I’m doing that and I think it’s helping the team.

“It’s a hard one.

“I still have two years left at Newcastle so we will see what happens in pre-season when I go back there.

“I’m getting my head down at the minute and giving my all for Blackburn.”

While acknowledging that each goal counts the same, Armstrong named his opening goal in the 2-1 win at Portsmouth his favourite of his four strikes.

Armstrong had to bide his time initially, but has started seven of Rovers’ last eight matches.

With Craig Conway, Marcus Antonsson and Dominic Samuel back fit, the competition for places in the Rovers attack is as strong as it has been all season.

And Armstrong is taking the positives from that, knowing he will need to keep performing if he is to maintain his starting spot.

“It’s spurred everyone on,” he said of the competition for places.

“We’re all pushing for places in the starting XI and that’s only good for any team.

“It’s pushing us on and we’re doing really well.

“It pushes you on during games and training and every week.

“We’re getting the three points and it’s about keeping going.”

Rovers host Blackpool tomorrow, aiming to overcome the disappointment of last weekend’s draw with Wigan Athletic.

On the mood within the camp, he added: “A bit up and down, the first half we played really well and the second we gave away too sloppy goals but that’s football.

“We took the point and are now looking forward to Saturday.”