OWEN Coyle felt Liam Feeney was deserving of his first Blackburn Rovers goal after his performances in recent weeks.

Feeney opened his Rovers account in the FA Cup win at QPR on Saturday, tapping in from close range after Sam Gallagher had seen an effort saved.

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That was a third consecutive start for Feeney and the 30-year-old will be hoping to stretch that run to four games when Rovers travel to Ipswich on Saturday, a club Feeney knows well having spent two months there on loan at the end of last season.

And Coyle said: “It was good to see him in there and I think he deserved that because his performances have been of a very high standard.

“It was nice to see him get his just rewards for that.

“At the top end of the pitch you want players who can influence the game with either goals or assists.

“I’ve always said to the wide players that there is an onus on them to get in there and get goals.

“That will only help the team as you can never have enough goalscorers in your team.”

Coyle also reserved praised for fellow wide player Elliott Bennett, who caught the eye on his first start since September 20.

Bennett, who hasn’t started a league game since the opening day defeat to Norwich when he was hauled off at half-time, was making just his 10th Rovers appearance of the season Coyle admits he understands the 28-year-old’s frustration at being out of the side.

But the Ewood boss paid testament to Bennett’s fitness levels as, despite a lack of game-time, the winger completed 90 minutes and remained a threat throughout.

“He is one I speak to on a daily basis,” Coyle added.

“When you’re a first-team player, as he has been in his career, and you find yourself on the bench and not playing, then I understand those frustrations because I had times like that as a player in my career.

“He will tell you that I speak with him on a daily basis and I told him that he would get his opportunity, and when it comes about it’s down to him to show his qualities.

“He is a real professional and I think he showed all of his quality in the game.”