BLACKBURN Rovers boss Gary Bowyer has challenged his big summer signing Ben Marshall to build on his best display of the season.

Marshall has spent most of the campaign on the bench following his £1m arrival from Leicester City in August.

But the former England Under-21 midfielder will retain his place in Bowyer’s team for today’s home clash with Millwall as reward for his impressive showing in last Saturday’s 0-0 draw at QPR.

Now Bowyer wants the 22-year-old to do it consistently – starting this afternoon against the Lions.

“I thought it was Ben’s best game for us yet,” said Bowyer.

“I thought he showed flashes of what he’s capable of when he came off the bench against Watford at home.

“But on Saturday he did it for the whole game. Out wide he was a constant threat, especially in the first half, and he showed the kind of delivery that we know he is capable of.

“But more importantly the defensive side of his game was magnificent.

“He did a really good job in keeping Danny Simpson quiet because he’s been a major part of QPR’s success this season, bombing down the wing and supplying crosses.

“We were delighted with his all-round game.

“Now he’s got to build on that against Millwall.”

Marshall will be joined in the Rovers midfield today by Lions old boy Chris Taylor.

It will be the first time Taylor has faced Millwall since he swapped the Den for Ewood Park in July.

The 26-year-old, like Marshall, has not been a regular this season.

Bowyer said: “He showed just how much we missed him away at Ipswich.

“His performance, once again, was outstanding.”

This afternoon’s visit of the Lions starts a run of three home games in 16 days for Rovers, who have won five and drawn two of their last eight matches at Ewood.

“We’ve got four games now coming up fast now, three of them at home, and as we’ve only conceded one goal in our last six at home I think it’s important we strive to maintain that,” said Bowyer, whose side are seven points off the play-off places in 13th.

“The biggest thing is we don’t get complacent. This league can change quickly and we have to make sure we are right at it and focused again.”