Rudy Gestede expects Balazs Toth to immediately challenge Aynsley Pears for Blackburn Rovers' number one shirt.

The Hungarian international was on the bench against Burnley after signing in the final week of the transfer window. He has now immediately jetted off after being named in the Hungary squad.

The 26-year-old laid his ambitions to become John Eustace's first choice between the sticks in his first interview. Rovers have signed him with the vision that he will push Pears for his starting berth.

With any new signings from overseas, particularly goalkeepers, there is a period of settling in required. Leopold Wahlstedt was perhaps overused last term due to Pears' injury and the move didn't work out. Others thrive in that scenario, as we saw previously with Thomas Kaminski.

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Gestede is expecting Toth to really push Pears from the outset which can only make the goalkeeping department stronger.

"I think he will be able to challenge straight away," he told RoversTV.

"He's played some high-level games in the Europa League. He's an international so I think he's ready to challenge from now.

"It will be a good competition between our goalkeepers. Pearsy has done well in the games but it's good for our club to bring in competition for every position. That helps to get the best out of our players.

"We checked the data because we have to be sure and compare it to the level over there. Expected saves and things like that, we have Ben Benson our goalkeeping coach who can give us the right filters for the player.

"He came up with this goalkeeper and felt we had the chance to sign him. The recruitment department then looked at it and we were all aligned in the decision."

Todd Cantwell was another marquee signing for Rovers, signing on a three-year deal.

Gestede opened up on the process of signing the mercurial talent and why the club pushed so hard to ensure it was a permanent move rather than a loan deal.

"I think it's a massive signing for us, he's an unbelievable football player," he said.

"He has done it in the Premier League and abroad at Rangers. He brings a lot of talent and creativity to the club in this position which is key for us.

"He can be the link between our defence and striking for.ce We're very pleased to make this permanent move as a club. The opportunity came at the end of the transfer window and we jumped at it because we think he's the right player.

"At this age, 26, we think he has a lot to do for himself and the club. So we wanted him for the long-term, not just a one-year loan. It's always better to have the players permanent so you're building for your own club and not another club.

"It's different for someone like Amario (Cozier-Dubbery), a young player. For someone like Todd, we need experience, quality and talent in our club."

Rovers' positive start off the pitch and busy end to the transfer window has raised spirits around Ewood Park. Optimism levels are arguably at their highest since the turn of the year.

Gestede wants that positivity to reflect in attendance at Ewood Park, reiterating the importance of the fans to the football club.

Communication has also been a thorny topic with fans feeling the board haven't been proactive enough. In his first interview, Gestede reiterated his desire to change that and explained how he hopes to do it.

"It's a very good start. I am delighted to have taken points from behind which wasn't the case last season," he reflected.

"We've seen that at Norwich and Burnley, a big away game. That shows the mentality of the team, the spirit of the team. We want to fight until the end to make sure it's an exciting season.

"The fans are excited about the team we have built, you can sense that in the stands. We need their support, we saw that against Burnley, the 12th man is real and we need that.

"I'm encouraging the fans to keep coming in their numbers. We need the fans to come and support the team. It's important for us to win games at home, it builds strength and confidence in the team.

"We need people at Ewood Park and to be behind us. When I played, we had lots in the stands and I want to see us back to their numbers.

"We want to communicate so people don't create their own stories. We have to explain what is really happening at the club. I am happy to do this once a month, fans can ask questions and we will communicate as much as we can to them."