Harry Leonard scored his first FA Cup goal just over a year ago as Rovers brushed aside Cambridge at Ewood Park.

Unfortunately, it turned out to be the young forward’s penultimate appearance of the season before a frustrating spell with injuries.

Now back in the mix at Ewood Park, Leonard could be called upon for the third-round tie at Middlesbrough and is hungry to make the most of any opportunities that come his way.

“I feel really good,” he said. “It is good to get back in the fold and get around the matchday squads.

“Obviously, I am getting a few more minutes now which is what I have worked towards. It has not been easy but I think am getting to where I want to be.

“I had a real bit of bad luck with injury and was out for nearly 10 months overall, but over the last month or so I have felt like myself again.

“That goal against Sunderland has done my confidence the world of good, I am back doing what I love.

“I feel ready, I feel like I have been training well and my levels have gone up over the past month or so.

“Getting a few minutes here and there is going to help towards that. Whenever I am called upon, I feel ready now and will try to take my opportunities as best I can.”

It has taken time for the 21-year-old to regain confidence in his body after a difficult spell on the sidelines.

But after a handful of appearances off the bench, and his goal against the Black Cats, Leonard now feels he is getting back to where he wants to be, physically.

If he does get the nod at Boro this weekend, it would be a chance to stake his claim while Yuki Ohashi is out with an injury of his own.

“Obviously, Yuki is a big miss for everyone involved,” Leonard admitted. “He started really well and was coming into his own.

“That is how football works sometimes – I got injured and that gave other people opportunities. I will try to do my best for the club and all the lads.”

Leonard netted his first FA Cup goal against Cambridge last season (Image: CameraSport - Lee Parker) He added: “(Saturday) is another against a Championship team so it is never easy. It is a game we will look to try and win to hopefully get through to the next round.

“We just need to take it game by game. We know we are good enough to pick up points in the league, we have shown that. It is just another game and we will do our best to get the win.”

With FA Cup replays scrapped, the tie at the Riverside Stadium could even be settled by penalties.

When asked if the squad have been practising their spot kicks, Leonard smiled: “I am sure we will be doing.

“You have to be prepared for anything in the cup, we saw that last year against Newcastle. It is a different scenario if it does go the distance but the lads will be ready for whatever comes.”

Lewis Baker will not be part of the squad against Boro after returning to parent club Stoke City, and Leonard says the midfielder will be missed in the dressing room.

“Really disappointed (to lose him). Bakes was great with me and around the dressing room, he came into the team in the past few weeks and I think he did really well,” said the youngster.

“His ability in training and in the games was there for everyone to see. It is a big miss for everyone, especially around the dressing room. He was really good with the young lads and I am gutted he is going, but I wish him all the best.”

Rovers will be looking to bounce back from their narrow defeat against Burnley in the East Lancashire derby.

Leonard knows as well as anyone how much the fixture meant to supporters and was gutted they weren’t able to secure the bragging rights in front of an electric crowd at Ewood Park.

“We were really disappointed,” he said. “Obviously, growing up and being at Blackburn since I was nine-years-old, I know how much (it meant) to the fans.

“It was just disappointment more than anything, but hopefully we will get another chance to put it right.”