JIMMY Floyd Hasselbaink is tipping Blackburn Rovers youngster Darragh Lenihan for a ‘really bright future’.

Lenihan made his breakthrough into Rovers’ first team in the final three games of the Championship campaign after returning from a highly successful loan spell at Burton Albion.

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The 21-year-old made 17 appearances and scored the first goal of his senior career during a three-month stay with Hasselbaink’s Brewers.

Lenihan, whose first two years at Rovers were blighted by serious injuries, was a mainstay of the Burton side which went on to win the League Two title.

And Brewers boss Hasselbaink said: “He’s got a really bright future ahead, the boy, and if he doesn't play hopefully we can bring him back for next year, that would be great.

“He was unfortunate with an injury to his back and it kept him out for two years. That’s why we were lucky to get him to the club.

“Now he has played several matches in League Two, if he doesn’t play next year in the Championship, then the next step for him is League One and we would definitely be in the market to go back and get him.”

Rovers boss Gary Bowyer has already confirmed he now sees Lenihan as a valuable member of his senior squad.

The Republic of Ireland U21s international came off the bench to make his debut for the club in the 2-0 home win over Millwall.

And, with stand-in skipper Matt Kilgallon sidelined along with Bowyer’s three other senior centre-backs, he then started the 2-2 draw at Huddersfield Town and the 3-2 last-day victory at home to Ipswich Town in the heart of the Rovers defence.

That came as a surprise to Hasselbaink as he had deployed Lenihan in a deep-lying midfield role throughout his time at the Pirelli Stadium.

“I’m very happy for him,” said the former Leeds United, Chelsea and Holland star.

“Only he started as a centre-half and I don’t think he’s a centre-half!

“But I’m very happy for him. He deserves it.

“I think a lot of him, we all do.”