John Eustace believes there is plenty more to come from Makhtar Gueye and has challenged Blackburn Rovers' squad to fill the Sam Szmodics void.

Rovers have sold their star player in a deal worth £9million. Whilst there will be reinforcements in the final seven days of the transfer window, Rovers will need existing squad members to stand up.

One of those could be Gueye, who has caught the eye early on in his Rovers career. The striker has the athleticism, and raw ingredients to be a nuisance at Championship level.

Eustace believes the 26-year-old has only has only shown glimpses of his potential and thinks the whole squad will be at true fitness after the international break.

READ MORE: EUSTACE MAKES FEELINGS CLEAR ON ROVERS EXITS

"I think against Norwich, you saw what he did in that first half but then he did look a bit tired just before half-time," Eustace told The Lancashire Telegraph.

"Speaking to him, he's still adapting to that intensity too. He wasn't as sharp or as fit as I know what he will be in two or three more weeks. 

"That's the same for a lot of the boys and I'm sure, the other side of the international break, everyone will be fully up to speed and fully fit.

"I have said to the group, we need players to step up and make the difference.

"It's a squad game, everyone will get the opportunity to make that claim. Sammie has left that #10 spot and Ty (Dolan) has been playing there, he's had two very good games and impressed in that position.

"He's taken that position and now it's up to everyone to try and be the star man."

Rovers have made a strong start to the season with four points from their opening two league games. Victory against Oxford United on Saturday would make it a very impressive start ahead of two derbies next week.

Eustace is not taking the newly-promoted side, who have acquitted themselves well already early in the season, lightly. He's hoping the influence of the Ewood Park crowd will help after their impact against Derby County.

"They're a really good team, they were a great team last year," he said.

"They have a very good young manager, I've watched their two games live and they have been excellent. They were very unlucky to lose at Coventry last week.

"They had a great win against Norwich so it'll be a very difficult game. They play some exciting football and they defend very well. We know it will be a very difficult game.

"Derby were a newly-promoted side and so that was tricky. Every game is a difficult game whenever you play the teams. It'll be a very difficult game because everyone is always competing for something."

"Every success is down to everyone involved at the football club," he added.

"The fans have been excellent with the team. Last season as well too. The atmosphere was top draw against Derby and if we're going to win games and get through difficult matches, we need the fans right behind the players.

"The fans have done that and we're very grateful."