GARY McAllister gave Blackburn Rovers a boost by revealing that the 'old Matt Jansen' has started to emerge - 10 months after the horrific holiday accident which nearly cost him his career.

The 25-year-old striker made only his fourth start for crisis club Coventry City during Saturday's 2-2 draw at Deepdale against Preston North End.

Although it was Sky Blues youngster Craig Pead who took all the glory as he bagged two goals against Preston, McAllister expressed delight at Janson's performance.

On several occasions he managed to break forward and was constantly causing Preston's back four problems. Only a fine save from Preston's David Lucas denied Jansen a goal after nine minutes.

And McAllister, who has Jansen's services until the end of the season, said: "Matt is growing in confidence as each game goes, and we saw that today.

"But we take each week as it comes, seeing how he goes in training. I am very aware of what he has been through and what his situation is.

"We just have to tread carefully and keep in constant contact with Blackburn Rovers.

"But in the last 10 days or so we have started to see some of the old Matt Jansen in training, and that is excellent news.

"He is a tremendous player who was very unfortunate to be involved in an horrific accident last summer.

"We are starting to see the real Matt Jansen again but it is important that we protect him and make sure he can became the tremendous player that he was before the accident."

Jansen opted for a move to Coventry earlier this year to pick up first team action to assist his recovery following last summer's motorcycle accident in Italy.

After arriving at the Midlands club, he was hit with a stomach bug which ruled him out for a month.

North End ensured a share of the the points when Pawel Abbott scored in the final minute of the game - Richard Cresswell having given them the lead after 27 minutes.