"This is a massive year for me." That was the constant thought running through Dilan Markanday's mind as he sat down to discuss his future with Blackburn Rovers in the summer.

The winger had become something of an enigma at Ewood Park. A constant "What if?" for supporters to debate over. Cameos in the league and fruitful starts in the cup had shown flashes but never more.

There has never been doubting Markanday's talent. When you're on the books of Tottenham Hotspur as a youngster, there's always something there. But replicating that Under-21 potential at senior level is far from a straightforward process.

Throw in a torn hamstring on debut, for instance. A real blow. Then the manager who signed you leaves. Ouch. From day one, Markanday's Rovers career has required context.

Jon Dahl Tomasson's first season saw him make one Championship appearance until January. A disastrous loan at Aberdeen followed and, suddenly, Markanday lost 18 months of his career.

Last season, things improved. 21 appearances but mostly off the bench. In the mind of Markanday and indeed most Rovers fans, this summer was crunch time.

So when all parties agreed that it was time for a second attempt elsewhere, Markanday rebuffed higher interest. It was Chesterfield he wanted most and he wanted to be their main man.

"I think the main thing for me in this loan was to go out and enjoy my football," he tells The Lancashire Telegraph ahead of Chesterfield's trip to Harrogate Town.

"I need a platform to express myself, get my confidence up. My last loan at Aberdeen didn't go well, I didn't have that same backing from the manager.

"It is so important for any player to have that support. It's a massive point in my career and I had to make the right decision.

"We had to decide what was best for me. I didn't play much last season or barely any football the year before that. This was a crucial year for me to decide if I wanted to be a bit-part player again or somewhere I can show everything I can do.

"I had some interest from League One clubs and, on paper, you'd say go to League One. But I wanted guaranteed game time and to prove myself at the level. That was one of the main reasons I wanted to come here, the manager really wanted me.

"I wanted to come here and be the main man. You want to play at the highest level possible but you also want to be playing every game possible.

"With this loan, it's a great club and it's going well. I've always felt once I played regular football, get my match sharpness up, I could do well and score goals.

"It's then up to me to produce the goods and prove I'm above the level."

Markanday has done his bit on that front. Five goals and two assists in his opening 13 League Two games has made him an instant hit.

That's the power of consistent minutes, something that hasn't been afforded to him at Rovers. The last three years have been stop-start for Markanday and that had to change.

He is feeling the benefits ten-fold. Confidence is through the roof and there is a passion in his voice when he speaks about how much better he feels for it.

"Every player needs a run of games to see where they're at," he reiterated.

"If I went back to Blackburn today, all the fans and players would see a player who is so much fitter. I feel like I can run all day and that's the weekly match fitness. It is not a magic formula.

"I feel like my off-the-ball work has improved so much as well as with the ball. I am constantly learning. I want to take all this and take it back to Blackburn.

"Football is hindsight and you can look back to say you should've done this or that. There were times I wanted to go out and the club didn't and visa versa.

"Confidence for any footballer is massive. It can make you the best or worst player in any league. It's the feeling of being the man who can decide a game.

"It's pressure but good pressure which I wanted here. I know the fans would expect a lot from me but I wanted to be a standout player in the league to help Chesterfield get promotion."

Could and should this have happened sooner? Markanday doesn't look at the last few years as wasted time.

"It is always difficult when one manager signs you and then another comes in," he insists.

"I tore my hamstring on my debut. It took me a long time to trust my body again after that. These are all things that are part of the game.

"I wouldn't change anything. I have no regrets. I want to show all the fans the player they bought from Tottenham three years ago and why Blackburn spent their money on me and make an impact at Championship level.

"I believe I can do so. It's about the opportunities and after this loan, I'll take a lot from it. I feel in really good shape and I want to bring it back.

"People might say it's only League Two but I'll tell you there are good players at every level. There's Championship level quality here and I'm putting myself against them week in, week out."

The big question is how long this honeymoon spell lasts for. Markanday penned on a season-long deal but there is a January recall clause.

Whilst the temptation to come back to Rovers and prove a point is a big one, the 23-year-old is not blinded by Championship headlights. He doesn't say it but you get the clear impression that he doesn't want to disrupt a good thing.

"If I was to go back to Blackburn, it would have to be to play, otherwise there wouldn't be much point," he admits.

"In my opinion, I'm playing regularly and playing really well. To stunt that would be a shame. I want to come back and play there but it's about the bigger picture.

"This is a big year in my career. I have to keep developing and not going sideways. It's something for me, the gaffer and the clubs to discuss to find the best way for me to develop. I want to come back to Blackburn when I'm ready to impact the team."

His contract expires in the summer too, another interesting facet to this discussion. Rovers have the option to extend Markanday's deal until 2026 before any longer-term terms have to be agreed, though.

"I've always been a believer that if you're producing the goods, other things take care of themselves. The contract stuff will sort itself, if I'm playing well," Markanday says clearly.

"I want to come back to Blackburn and be a big player there. It is not something massively on my mind. Anything can happen in football, I'm not dwelling on it.

"Chesterfield has everything to be at a higher level. It gets 10,000 fans most weeks at home. It's a big club at this level.

"We have to aim for play-offs as a minimum, that's what the players are capable of. We should be looking to push on and make an impact."