TEENAGE goalkeeper David Raya is determined to build on his breakthrough season and push Jason Steele and Simon Eastwood for a place between the Blackburn Rovers posts in 2015-16.

The 19-year-old took his chance to shine toward the end of the 2014-15 campaign after returning to Ewood Park following an impressive loan spell at non-league Southport.

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Raya kept a clean sheet on his Rovers debut in the 3-0 victory at Leeds United on Easter Saturday and then produced another accomplished performance in the 3-2 win at home to Ipswich Town on the final day of the season.

And having had a taste of first-team Championship action the Spanish stopper is desperate for more.

“It’s been a really good season and I’m very happy and very proud,” said Raya, who last month agreed a new three-year contract tying him to Rovers until the summer of 2018.

“I’ve grown as a player and as a person.

“Now my aim for next season is to try and fight to get a place in the team and carry on playing.

“Steeley and Easty have got a lot of experience and have been playing well so we’ll have to see what happens.”

Raya joined Rovers from Barcelona-based club UE Cornella in the summer of 2012.

He swiftly progressed through the U18s and U21s ranks at Brockhall before spending three months on loan at Conference Premier outfit Southport.

Raya starred as the Sandgrounders came close to pulling off a shock FA Cup third-round draw at Derby County.

But he admits his home Rovers debut, against Ipswich earlier this month, will take some beating.

“It felt great to play at Ewood,” said Raya.

“The atmosphere was amazing and the fans and my team-mates were really good with me so I was very happy.”

It has been confirmed, meanwhile, that Rovers striker Luke Varney ruptured his Achilles tendon while playing for Ipswich Town in their Championship semi-final first leg at home to Norwich City on Saturday.

The 32-year-old, who has been on loan at Ipswich since February, is expected to be sidelined for a minimum of six months after undergoing surgery on Monday.

Tractor Boys boss Mick McCarthy said: “It’s a massive disappointment for us but more importantly for Luke. He’s made a great impression here and he’s a top lad.”

Varney will be a free agent when his one-year Rovers contract runs out next month.