Harry Leonard admitted it's 'a relief' to be back fit as he builds towards a Blackburn Rovers return.

The 21-year-old striker has missed the last eight months of first-team action. He is yet to play under John Eustace, as a result.

A fractured back and then a dislocated shoulder have made 2024 an injury nightmare for Leonard, who is desperate to impress the 'new' head coach. 

He continued his return to sharpness with 75 minutes for the Under-21s on Friday and hopes the international break will offer further opportunity to be in contention for a first-team return.

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"It's really good to get through it, a relief," he told RoversTV.

"The main aim is to build my minutes up and come out unscathed. I enjoyed it, it's great to be back playing, especially at Ewood under the lights. 

"It's getting there, I feel better. Nobody expected me to be 100% straight away, it takes time. I have been out for a while and I'm slowly building up.

"I am definitely getting closer to where I want to be. You can do all the running in training, work with physios, sports scientists, but nothing compares to that match pace.

"I have a couple of games under my belt and I'm looking to kick on. The international break gives me another 10 days to get that sharpness. I'll hopefully get another game in that period and go from there.

"We'll see what happens. The lads have started well, there is good competition in my position, Pape (Gueye), Yuki (Ohashi).

"It makes it harder because it's tough to get into the team but you always want to come into a team that's playing well and when the confidence is up."

The focus for Leonard is minutes, though he'd love a goal to really feel back in the swing of things. He had a few chances against Leicester, including one that was magnificently blocked just in front of goal.

"I've been out for a long time, it's felt like an age," he admitted.

"To be back out training, playing games, putting the shirt on, it's a relief. I am grateful for that, at the moment.

"In training and games for the 21s, I have to try and show the head coach what I can do. It's down to me and I back myself when I'm at 100 per cent.

"I came off kicking myself knowing I hadn't scored but I have to take a step back sometimes. I've been out for a long time and the main thing is building my minutes. I played 75 there and I've come out unscathed, that's the positive.

"I'm getting in the right positions and I know it'll drop. It's early days in my return to play and then I'll be hitting the back of the net."