Sam Szmodics insists he would swap some of his goals for extra points as Blackburn Rovers fight to preserve their Championship status.

The division's top scorer has 21 in the league and 27 in all competitions. His form has not dipped despite the team's struggles, with two wins in 19 matches.

Rovers remain three points clear of the dotted line with nine massive matches left to be played. Szmodics will be central for Rovers if they can get enough points on the board, starting this weekend against Middlesbrough.

He insists it would be a huge honour to continue his goal-scoring from and win the Championship golden boot but he'd swap those strikes for survival.

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"At the beginning of the season, they came thick and fast," he said earlier this month.

"Now I've found my flow and I've always said that if I'm at a team that plays how I play then I will score goals. I've done that under Jon and now the new gaffer.

"Hopefully I can keep adding more. As a selfish person or from that point of view, I am having the season of my life.

"You see your name amongst proper players and I have to start believing I deserve to be there as well. Some people questioned at the start of the season how I was up there.

"It's now March, I'm still up there and still at the top. I hope I'll continue adding more to that tally and the goals will help get more wins for Blackburn.

"It would be amazing to win the golden boot but I'd rather keep Blackburn in the league than win personal trophies. If I could swap some of those goals for points, I certainly would."

Szmodics' form has seen him recognised by Ireland, receiving a call-up from new manager John O'Shea for the March internationals.

They will face Belgium and Switzerland with the 28-year-old delighted to finally have an opportunity to pull on the green short.

“I feel like I really deserve a chance due to what I’ve been doing at club level,” Szmodics said after getting the nod.

“I feel I deserve this shot on the international stage and it’s something I do want to do. It didn’t work out under the old manager there, but it’s a new start, there’s a new manager with fresh ideas, and I hope I’ll get the opportunity.

“Ireland is important to me and I hope I can make an impact and play.
I’ve been included in two camps but I’ve never been called up. 

"I don’t think people realise that I’ve never actually been called up straight away - I’ve always been on standby. That’s meant you’ve always gone in feeling like an outsider.

“It’s been frustrating for me, especially considering family time is so important to me with my two girls. 

“I’ve always been ready and I hope things are different this time around.

“To put on the green jersey would be amazing for me and my family. It’d be a proud moment for myself and my family, especially my dad due to all his side of the family being Irish.”