IMPRESSIVE on-loan forward Sam Gallagher is relishing the battle for a starting spot up front for Blackburn Rovers.

Summer signings Danny Graham and Anthony Stokes looked nailed on to be Rovers boss Owen Coyle’s first-choice strike partnership.

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Stokes netted three goals in the first two games of the season before Graham got off the mark in the 2-1 defeat at Cardiff City.

But they have both spent time on the bench in the last two games after Gallagher caught the eye after coming on in the Welsh capital.

The young Southampton striker scored his first goal for Rovers in last Saturday’s home draw with Burton Albion and then played the full 120 minutes of Tuesday’s EFL Cup win over Crewe Alexandra.

And Gallagher said: “Competition is only a healthy thing, especially as a striker, but in other positions as well.

“It can only push all three of us even further. We’re all three different players, as well, which is what the gaffer wants, so it will be a good battle this season.”