Sam Szmodics’ prolific form is showing no signs of stopping after another brace at Ewood Park.

The midfielder is now up to 13 goals for the campaign – a total no other player in the division can match at this stage.

Szmodics says confidence has played a big part in his impressive performances since the start of the season.

“When I missed a chance, it used to play on my mind,” he explained. “Now, it is out of my mind as quickly as it enters.

“I know I will get more chances and I believe I am going to score. I wouldn’t say it makes it easier but it makes it more enjoyable, looking forward to games and feeling in myself that I am going to score.

“I go out there to play out for Blackburn and the most important thing for me is to put in a good performance and get the points, and anything else is an extra. At the minute, scoring goals is a bonus for me and hopefully I can keep doing it.”

The former Peterborough man has helped fill the void left by the likes of Ben Brereton Diaz and Bradley Dack over the summer.

Szmodics wore the captain’s armband after Lewis Travis came off at half time against Birmingham, something he has done on several occasions this term.

The 28-year-old says it is an “honour” when he gets to lead the team out and admits it wasn’t something he expected to happen when he joined the club in the summer of 2022.

“We lost a lot of goals, and not only on the pitch but big personalities off it,” Szmodics continued.

“We lost Dacky, Bez and Daniel Ayala. Kaminski left as well, everyone got on with him. They are big characters and they leave big holes on the pitch.

“I think it was up to us to step up and sort of take the reins. If someone said to me that I would have captained Blackburn in my second year here, I would have said, ‘No chance’.

“It is always a proud moment for me. Coming from down South, Blackburn is such a big club. I remember heading the interest an had to pinch myself.

“Down there, it is known as such a big club and when you come and see the players who have played here, it is an honour to captain them.”

James Hill also highlighted Szmodics’ impact on the Rovers squad, both on and off the pitch.

“He is massive for this team,” said the defender. “I think he has been superb, he leads by example by the way he presses. There are so many attributes to his game that the lads are learning from.

“He has been superb leading the line for us and his goals say it all. He has been so clinical and we will keep trying to back him up going forward.

“It is the way this group is, everyone is feeling confident. Sammie, myself, I think everyone feels it.

“We are all in a good place and even if things aren’t going well in games, we always stick together as a group.

“I think there is a real togetherness here and hopefully we can carry that on for the rest of the season. The rest will take care of itself.”