Tony Mowbray admits Bradley Dack was fully deserving of a new deal.

Dack penned a fresh three year contract as a reward for his excellent first season in a Rovers shirt which saw him named as League One player of the year.

His new contract, which will run to 2021, will reflects the 24-year-old’s standing within the Rovers squad.

He follows Darragh Lenihan, Derrick Williams and Richie Smallwood in signing new long-term deals at the club and means the club now have 14 players under contract for at least another two years.

And Mowbray said: “I'm delighted Bradley has signed, and that's it all done and dusted.

“As with the other lads who have done exceptionally well, I felt Bradley deserved a new contract, even though he only signed a year ago.

“He came from Gillingham, respectively, and I wanted to make sure he gets what he deserves.

“He's an important player in our team and I think we were just trying to bring him in line with the other players.”

The challenge to Dack will now be to replicate his form in League One when he becomes a Championship player for the first time next year.

The 24-year-old is confident in his own ability, and Mowbray said: “He's a vital player for us and everyone can see that.

“He trains with a smile on his face every day and he's great to be around.

“I knew how technically gifted he was before he arrived here. He can drive a team forward on his own at times with his enthusiasm for the game.

“We needed to make sure he adapted to playing with some bigger personalities and players and he's done that exceptionally well.”