Markanday eyes big season | Luthra inks new deal | Taylor to play on

Blackburn attacking midfielder Dilan Markanday says he is desperate to show everyone what he is all about next term after the biggest rollercoaster season of his career.

Markanday, 20, made a historic appearance for Spurs in a Europa Conference League game away at Vitesse last season, becoming the first South Asian heritage player in Tottenham's history when he entered the pitch as a second-half substitute at The Gelredome.

However, the Barnet-born forward decided to prioritise first-team football, completing a January transfer to Blackburn - who have just appointed Danish legend Jon Dahl Tomasson as Tony Mowbray's successor - only to suffer a hamstring injury after an impressive Sky Bet Championship debut for Rovers against Hull.

But Markanday's dedication to his rehabilitation allowed him to make an earlier-than-expected recovery, and the Hindu-Punjabi forward made a 23-minute cameo for Rovers away at Birmingham City to end his season on a personal high.

Asked if he is targeting next season as a breakthrough campaign, Markanday told Sky Sports News: "That's what I want to happen, that's why I came to the club. Obviously, it didn't work out how I wanted it to at the beginning with the injury, but I feel like this season I can really push on and show the fans, the club and show young kids what I can do and inspire them.

"I've had some time away just to rest. Obviously, it has been a tough six months so mentally I needed a break just to wind things down. I definitely feel refreshed, my injury feels good and I just want to make an impression at the club, to the new manager and to the fans - hopefully, I can do that.

"I'm really enjoying it up here," added Markanday, who was speaking at a South Asian Talent ID initative