PAUL Gallagher today revealed his determination not to be a 'one-season wonder'.
The 20-year-old Scot has found himself frozen out of the first team picture after bursting onto the scene in style last season.
An injury in pre-season has prevented him having a similar impact this term, with just eight minutes of Premiership football on the opening day against West Brom and another sub appearance in the Carling Cup defeat to Bournemouth his only first team action.
But after re-discovering his scoring touch in the reserves with the first goal in last night's 2-2 draw against Manchester United, he insists he is now fighting fit and ready to help lift Blackburn Rovers off the bottom of the Premiership.
"I've had a bad start but I'm hoping to get back to doing what I was doing last year," said Gallagher. "I just don't want to be a one-season wonder.
"Graeme Souness gave me my chance last year and stuck by me so I thank him a lot for doing that and hopefully I can do the same again.
"In pre-season I was doing well and scoring goals but tore my thigh. I played in the Worthington Cup but the manager told me I needed to get fit and to see how it goes.
"He said I've got the talent but need to get fitter and stronger, but I'm fit now and hopefully he will give me a chance so I can get back in the team and help them out.
"I felt good against United and scored my first goal for a bit so I think the sharpness is there."
Blackburn boss Mark Hughes gained a good idea of the rapid progress the striker made last season, as he was manager of Wales when Gallagher won his first and as yet only, Scotland cap in the friendly between the countries.
But since taking over from Souness, Hughes has established a pecking order in the forward line which has seen Gallagher drop to sixth.
New signings Paul Dickov, Jay Bothroyd and Youri Djorkaeff have joined Jonathan Stead and Matt Jansen to toughen up the competition for places up front.
But with Blackburn still struggling for goals, the return to fitness and form of Gallagher could be a welcome boost as Hughes continues to search for the right partnership.
And despite his lack of first team opportunities under the new regime, Gallagher is convinced the way they've been working will eventually be rewarded with Premiership survival.
He said: "The new staff have been brilliant, they are always ready to talk to you and let you know what's happening so everyone's buzzing about that.
"But we just need to get a good run going. I think we've got the quality of players but we just need to settle in, get a couple of results and we'll be up that table."
Rovers host Liverpool in the Premiership this Saturday, 5.15pm kick-off. Ticket prices start from: adults £20, seniors £15, juniors £10.
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