Tyler Magloire was given an insight in to what to expect on his first team debut from facing Danny Graham in training.

Graham is among the most experienced frontmen in the division, and admits he has tested out the club’s fledgling central defenders when training with the first team.

Magloire made his debut, and helped Rovers to first win, and clean sheet, in eight games against Wigan. The 20-year-old, along with Under-23s regulars Hayden Carter and Charley Doyle, have all trained with the senior side and felt the physicality of Graham.

“To be fair, when we train and the young lads play I always go and stand on them and try and bump them around so they understand what it’s going to be like,” the 33-year-old said.

“I’m tired of doing it to Darragh (Lenihan), Charlie (Mulgrew) and Jack (Rodwell) now.

“Hopefully it will benefit them. I don’t do it to bully them, it’s a case of ‘this is what it’s going to be like in the men’s game’.

“I have had conversations with Tyler and Hayden, Charley Doyle, and when they train I say that I’m going to get up against them.

“Hopefully it helps them. I thought Tyler dealt with that side of it very well and I thought it was a promising debut for him and hopefully it can continue for him.”

Rovers also have a clutch of central defenders out on loan learning their trade in Joe Grayson, Scott Wharton and Matty Platt. The physicality of first team football, as well as the pressure of points at stake, is often the most difficult thing for young players to deal with.

And Graham added: “You have to be able to handle yourself on the football pitch it’s as simple as that.

“There are a lot of bigger centre forwards than me out there, more powerful ones, and a lot are quicker than me.

“I try and do it in training to help them, I don’t do it for an easy session for me. I want to help them and let them know what it’s going to be about.

“If he can perform like that then he will go on and have a big career ahead of himself.”

Graham’s two goals against Wigan took him to 51 for the club having initially joined on loan in January 2016. He recently passed 550 career appearances since making while on loan at Darlington in March 2004.

Having gone in to Saturday’s game without a win since January, Graham says there was a concerted effort to make sure Magloire’s debut was one to remember.

He added: “We spoke about in the meeting. We said beforehand ‘let’s make sure Tyler remembers his debut and give him a good result’.

“We managed to do that and I thought he was superb. He didn’t put a foot wrong.

“To come in to the team at the most difficult part of the season and a difficult period was credit to him.

“He is probably still buzzing now and will be hoping to play again on Saturday.

“But everyone is delighted with the win. I think it breeds a bit of confidence around the place again.”