MARK Hughes today paid a glowing tribute to Matt Jansen after the striker's first goal in almost a year got the manager's new reign off to a winning start.

Jansen climbed off the bench to grab a dramatic 78th minute winner as Rovers beat Portsmouth 1-0 on Saturday.

And Hughes now hopes that's the first of many for a player who has been to Hell and back since he suffered serious head injuries in a motorbike accident two years ago.

"Physically Matt's fine. I think he just needed a little bit more confidence in himself.

"It's been a difficult period for the boy but hopefully he's come through that now and the goal will help him.

"He's got very supportive team-mates, they all want him to do well, and let's hope this is a stepping stone for him.

"He's a great lad, he's very popular in the dressing room and you could see by the reaction of all the players when he scored the feeling they have for him.

"So I was delighted for him and for the rest of the boys."

Before Saturday's game, Jansen's last appearance in the first team came in the 2-1 defeat against Leeds United in April.

But Hughes always rated the 26-year-old highly when the pair of them used to play together up front at Rovers.

And that was one of the main factors in his decision to hand him a recall for his first game in charge.

"I just remember he was a very, very good player," said Hughes.

"He had all the qualities you need to be a top class player.

"He could run, he could dribble, he was quick and he could head a ball, so he was the complete player at times.

"I think he's just lost his way a bit and maybe the level of confidence he needs as a player and a person to perform has been lower than it needed to be.

"But obviously he's scored the winning goal and hopefully that will help him."

Meanwhile, the only blemish on Hughes's triumph return was an injury to Craig Short.

The veteran defender limped off just before half time after twisting his knee in a challenge and Rovers' medical staff are now awaiting the results of a scan.