Harry Leonard hit a hat-trick for Blackburn Rovers' Under-21s whilst Balasz Toth, Kyle McFadzean, Lewis Baker and Leo Duru all topped up their fitness.

The Blackburn Rovers striker's treble was not enough to prevent a 4-3 defeat against Arsenal though, with Rovers fighting back late on to make the scoreline tight.

Leonard has now netted five goals in three games for Mike Sheron's side as he continues his comeback from injury. The forward hasn't played for the first time under John Eustace, having been ruled out with two separate injuries since February.

But the 21-year-old is now knocking on the door for a return to the fold. Rovers' other number nines haven't scored in the Championship since mid-September and so the arguments to ease Leonard back in are growing.

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Eustace has been adamant that Leonard won't be rushed back and whilst that is most certainly the right approach to take, he is making a strong case to be included in a Championship squad.

It would be understandable for Leonard to feel down on his luck after a frustrating 2024. But the goals for the 21s will give him confidence he can rediscover the levels that made him a breakthrough star under Jon Dahl Tomasson.

He scored one looping shot from a tight angle on Monday night before stepping up to convert two late penalties. That makes it five in three for the forward, who will believe he can offer a different dimension to the Rovers forward line.

For the qualities that Yuki Ohashi and Makhtar Gueye have, it could be argued that Leonard is the best link striker at the club. Ohashi's work with his back to goal is impressive for his size but he lacks the frame of Gueye, who can be erratic in his hold-up play.

Ahead of facing Sheffield United, Leonard has made a strong case for a place on the bench. Perhaps November is the month that they start to drip-feed him back into the side.

It was an important night for McFadzean too, who played the full 90 minutes. With Hayden Carter now out until 2025, his chances of league minutes have increased.

The 37-year-old has played more game time for Sheron than Eustace this term but his influence has been repeatedly praised. The games are going to come thick and fast and so he will get his opportunity.

It is impossible for Danny Batth, aged 33, to play every match alongside Dom Hyam between now and post-Christmas, even if he is in great shape. So McFadzean's time will come and ensuring he's ready to take it is vital.

Baker, Duru and Toth also topped up their tank in the seven-goal thriller. All of the more senior players completed the full game at Leyland.

It was a topsy-turvy game, with Salah Oulad M’Hand scoring twice, either side of a Leonard equaliser. But two goals in five second-half minutes from substitutes Khayon Edwards and Andre Annous made the result seemingly safe.

Leonard's quickfire spot-kicks made the last 10 minutes nervy for the Gunners but they ultimately saw the game out.

ROVERS: Toth, Duru (R. Doherty 81), McFadzean, Litherland, Powell, Caddick, O’Grady-Macken, L. Baker, A. Doherty (Willis 62), Mafoumbi (Leatherbarro 76), Leonard.

Unused substitutes: Khan, Vare.