Jack Vale wants to build on positive Blackburn Rovers season

The 22-year-old enjoyed a fine pre-season, catching Jon Dahl Tomasson’s eye enough to start on the opening day against QPR.

That was one of six Championship starts, and with a further nine from the bench and the same number in the cup competitions, it helped Vale chalked up 24 appearances across the season.

That came having made just two for Rovers since his debut in July 2020 as he continued to press for more involvement with regular goals for the Under-23s.

Vale credits a disappointing loan spell at Halifax at being the making of him, returning to Rovers for the final months of the 2021/22 season to finish with 12 goals in nine games.

That earned him a cameo appearance on the final day of the 2021/22 season at Birmingham City, but it was an impressive pre-season, in which he scored in wins over Accrington Stanley and Hartlepool United, that saw Tomasson hand him his first start.

The Welshman was then regularly around the squad, often edging out loanee George Hirst to be back-up to Sam Gallagher.

Goals in the cup competitions against West Ham United and Norwich City either side of the new year saw him open his account, and he reflects on a positive season, despite it being cut short by an ankle injury in March.

“It was my first season of senior football and I felt like I was involved a lot,” Vale explained.

“It’s helped me as a player and I can take that experience into next season I think I will be alright.

“I’ve learned a lot, every day I’ve been learning a lot form the manager and the players around me.

“It’s about being able to start games, coming off the bench, and doing what I can.

“It’s about getting that experience and taking it into next season.”

Vale averaged a goal every other game for Rovers’ Academy sides, overcoming some injury lay-offs and misfortune with loan moves, to push for first-team football.

He was rewarded with a long-term contract in October through to June 2025, with his previous deal having been set to expire this summer, but admits it has been a big step for him to take from Academy football.

He said: “It’s a big step from Under-21s football.

“You have to deal with that and I think with me now I’ve learned a lot so I have to keep improving and getting better every day.

“I’ve got the experience now and want to play more to get more experience but what I have done this season I think will help me for next season.

“I have to hit the ground running and try and do what I can.

“Because I’ve been playing I want to do that again, but I want to get my goals and assists up, and that’s my aim for next season.”

Vale has largely been used as a lone striker by Tomasson and given Rovers’ struggles for goals, and also creating chances in the first half of the campaign, it was often a tough ask of the Academy graduate.

He showed his finishing capabilities when opening his senior account in putting Rovers ahead in the Carabao Cup tie win at West Ham United, while it was in the FA Cup at Norwich City when he netted his second.

It leaves him still searching for his first at Ewood Park, and in the Championship, but Vale hopes to change that with more opportunities next season.

Rovers have already added competition in the form of Niall Ennis who has arrived on a free transfer from Plymouth Argyle.

The club are also in the market for further attacking additions following the loss of top scorer Ben Brereton and talisman Bradley Dack, but Vale will hope to help cure Rovers’ goalscoring struggles.

“It does play on your mind as a striker when you don’t score but when you get one you want to keep going,” he added.

“It’s the best feeling and I want to try and keep doing that if I can.

“As long as I get in the right positions, the ball has to land to you and sometimes you have to do it on your own, but as long as I work hard and do what I can then I think it will come.

“I’ve got to take my chance now and I think that will set me up for next year.”

Vale’s season was ended by an ankle ligament injury sustained while playing for the Under-21s at Leicester City in March.

However, having continued to work at Brockhall since the season’s finale, he has now stepped up his rehabilitation and is expected to be fit for when the players return to pre-season.