While Rovers supporters will likely want Jon Dahl Tomasson’s first-choice options to be rested against West Ham United, for Sam Szmodics, it’s a game he wants to play in.

Szmodics is a West Ham United fan, and season ticket holder, and was the first to be contacted by many of the squad when the draw was made.

It has been over two months since then, with the two sides to come up against each other tomorrow night.

Rovers supporters have already cast their eyes ahead, with an East Lancashire derby with Burnley on the horizon on Sunday, but Szmodics is keen to be involved against the Hammers, despite Jon Dahl Tomasson outlining the likelihood of changes being made to the side.

“I’m looking forward to West Ham as a West Ham fan myself, and where I’m from,” said Essex-born Szmodics.

“I wasn’t watching (the draw), my phone kept vibrating, and I was thinking ‘who needs to get hold of me this much?’.

“It was the boys in the group chat and Dacky (Bradley Dack) put ‘Irons’ and to see it away, was fantastic.

“I’m a supporter myself, got a season ticket, I sell it now since I’ve moved up here but it couldn’t have been a better draw.”

Szmodics was attending games regularly last season, able to do so with West Ham playing matches on Thursday and Sunday due to their Europa League commitments.

“They were in Europe last season, playing Thursday and Sunday, so I was going to the games,” he added.

“The move to Blackburn came out of nowhere, I renewed my season ticket, and I now sell it to people every week.

“It’s a game I’m looking forward to.”

Tomasson is expected to rest and rotate in the first round tie, with Szmodics haven’t only featured off the bench in the two previous rounds of the Carabao Cup.

He’s unlikely to start against the Hammers, with the Rovers head coach having an eye on Sunday’s derby with Burnley, which is followed by the break for the World Cup.

Szmodics has scored three times in 14 Championship appearances for Rovers since his summer move from Peterborough United.

And it wasn’t until recently that he fully understood the extent of the rivalry with Burnley.

 He explained: “I didn’t totally understand it. I knew it was a derby, but there are so many teams up north that I didn’t really realise (how much).

“I posted a photo before of me with one of my friends, Josh Brownhill, who plays for them (Burnley) and not really understanding the rivalry.

“It’s nice to come here and say that it doesn’t change my attitude towards it (the game), if anything it makes me want to smash them more because he’s my mate.

“It’s a game we’re looking forward to.”

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