DJ Campbell has vowed to finally show Blackburn Rovers fans what he is capable of – as he looks to put a nightmare six months behind him.

Campbell netted in a lively substitute appearance at Rochdale on Saturday and will aim to impress again at Preston tonight as he continues his quest to secure a place in Rovers’ starting line-up.

The 31-year-old was scoring regularly in the Premier League for Blackpool less than three years ago but is yet to bag a competitive goal for Rovers.

Campbell agreed to join the club in January but his debut was delayed after Rovers missed the transfer deadline, and then the death of his father affected him during his early weeks with the club.

A broken metatarsal later rounded off a loan spell to forget, but Campbell signed a two-year deal with Rovers earlier this month and is ready to start afresh.

“I didn’t do much when I was here on loan for the five games or whatever it was,” he said. “I’ve done a lot in my career and I don’t think the fans have even seen a snippet of it.

“Hopefully this year they will, I can score a few goals and the team can push up the league and fight for promotion.

“It’s been tough. It’s not been the best since I signed on loan the first time. I’ve had a lot of issues but they’re all gone now.

“My dad passed away in February so obviously just joining Blackburn and he passed away when I was up there, it was tough. Obviously there were a few issues with my injury as well.

“I’m hoping to just look forward and get on with my football."

Campbell agreed a two-and-a-half-year deal with Rovers in January but missing the deadline meant he could only sign on loan for three months.

A subsequent two-year permanent contract was discussed at that stage, when Michael Appleton was boss.

But Campbell said publicly in May that he was speaking to a number of clubs about his future following the expiry of his contract at QPR.

That suggested he was open to finding another club after a difficult initial spell with Rovers.

But Campbell linked up with Rovers for training at the start of July and did sign the two-year deal that was discussed months earlier.

Asked how events had unfolded this summer, Campbell said: “I signed on July 1, it’s football, I’ve signed now, I’m a Blackburn player so that’s what it is at the minute.”

Asked if either party had looked to find a way out of the Rovers deal, he again responded cautiously: “As I said I’m a Blackburn player, so that’s what it is.”

Campbell has been promoted to the Premier League with Birmingham and Blackpool, and wants to help Rovers return to the top flight.

“I can only bring my experience now to the boys that are here and hopefully we can push on,” he said.

“You’ve got to be a winner, that’s the main thing really. If you’re a winner and you want to do it and achieve things, you can.”