Sam Szmodics is eager to be a leader in the Rovers camp and help the club’s young prospects.

At 27 years of age, Szmodics is one of the more experienced members of Jon Dahl Tomasson’s youthful squad.

Rovers’ Academy has had plenty of success stories in recent memory, and it wasn’t a surprise to see Tomasson give opportunities to youngsters during the training camp in Austria last week.

Szmodics knows what it is like to make the step up to senior football and try to make a positive impression.

He is keen to set a good example by putting in the hard yards as preparations ramp up for the new Championship season.

“I’m one of the oldest at 27 whereas at some teams you could be one of the youngest,” he told The Lancashire Telegraph.

“You have Kaminski who’s 30 and then a few at 27 or 28, so while you may feel 23 you’re an experienced pro in this squad.

“We’ve got a lot of young lads training with us, particularly in these camps. The gaffer brought some young lads out with us and they will be looking up to us, and we have to be leaders.

“It’s always tough. I’ve done it, and on and off the pitch you’re nervous, but you need to show them that we’re here to work hard.

“If they can do it at 17 and 18 then that will only be good for them when they get to my age.”

The Rovers squad has seen plenty of change this summer, with Ben Brereton, Bradley Dack and Daniel Ayala all departing.

Brereton has since completed a move to Villarreal, putting pen to paper over a four-year deal with the Spanish outfit.

Szmodics admits being without the trio has felt strange over the past few weeks but insists there is still a strong togetherness in the dressing room.

“Of course, Dacky, Bez and Ayala - they’re big names,” the attack-minded midfielder added.

“We’ve replaced them with good lads. We’ll miss them and it’s been weird as quieter without them.

“But we’ve got one of the best dressing rooms in terms of people getting on - young lads and senior pros - and hopefully we can take that relationship onto the pitch.”

Szmodics was on target in the second of two games 70-minute against TSV Hartberg after combining with Dilan Markanday.

The 27-year-old is aiming to build on a promising first season at Ewood Park, having scored seven times in all competitions last term.

He hopes the squad’s efforts will pay off over the coming season, which kicks off against West Brom on Saturday, August 5.

“I didn’t realise Austria was hot, so humid,” Szmodics grinned. “We’ve put some good work in and worked hard.”