Rovers hope the emergence of Tyrhys Dolan can push Harry Chapman to new levels after the winger impressed for the Under-23s in their win over Leicester City.

Chapman had a hand in three of the Rovers goals in the 4-0 win with Daniel Ayala also getting an hour under his belt in a boost to his fitness.

The 22-year-old also claimed an assist for Adam Armstrong’s goal in the weekend win at Derby, having scored for the Under-23s in a friendly against Blackpool last midweek.

Chapman started the Carabao Cup win over Doncaster last month but has seen Dolan star on the right of Rovers’ attacking three in their most recent fixtures, scoring in the wins over Wycombe and Derby.

Despite the former Middlesbrough man’s undoubted talent, his workrate in training and matches has been questioned at times. But his performance against Leicester on Monday night will have done his chances of more involvement at first-team level no harm.

“It’ll grind on him that Tyrhys has come in and taken his place, I’ve mentioned that and I know the gaffer will have as well,” Under-23s boss Billy Barr said.

“We played against Blackpool last week and he was the same, so that’s two consistent games now that he’s given the gaffer something to think about with the work he’s doing, and the assists at the other end.

“He seems in a good place, as most of the people at the club do at the moment.”

Chapman scored four times in eight Premier League 2 appearances last season, but failed to make a Championship start last term, making five outings from the bench having appeared in 10 matchday squads.

He was surprisingly left out of the 18-man squad on the opening day at Bournemouth, but has featured in four of the five matches in all competitions this season.

But Barr has been pleased with what he’s seen from Chapman who will be back on first-team duties this weekend for the visit of Cardiff City who were beaten 2-1 at home by Reading in their last Championship outing.

“It’s showing them (his attributes) more often, his workrate has been questioned, but he seems in a really good place at the moment and long may he stay there,” Barr added.

Centre back Ayala was given his first run-out in Rovers colours, coming through 60 minutes before being replaced by Joe Grayson on his return from injury.

The Spaniard hadn’t played since suffering an ankle injury on New Year’s Day playing for Middlesbrough but will hope to be in contention to challenge for a first-team spot after the upcoming international break.

The 29-year-old travelled with the squad to Derby, undergoing some fitness work ahead of kick-off, with Rovers now facing a call over whether he will be involved again for the Under-23s when they look to make it a hat-trick of home wins in Premier League to start the season when Manchester United visit Leyland on Friday (2pm).

Barr added: “That will be someone else’s decision, but for the young lads, even watching him in the changing room and how he’s prepping, it’s an experience for people to see because the career he’s had, and he turns up, mixes in with everyone, but preps his own way, quietly, but as soon as the ball came out you could tell he’d got quality.

“I thought he was really good.”