Blackburn boss Owen Coyle is happy with the way pre-season is progressing for his side as the start of the new campaign draws closer.

Rovers played out a 1-1 draw with local rivals Rochdale on Tuesday in sweltering conditions.

Danny Graham, who joined the club on a permanent deal this summer after a loan stint last season, continued his fine pre-season form with the opening goal before Rovers were pegged back by a stunning free-kick from Donal McDermott in the second half.

Coyle was without a few key men as Grant Hanley (knee), Craig Conway (thigh) and Ben Marshall (illness) all sat out due to injury, while Shane Duffy and Corry Evans have been granted additional time off to recover from Euro 2016.

Despite seeing his side concede for the first time in pre-season, Coyle was satisfied with the workout and remains in confident mood ahead of Blackburn’s season opener against Norwich City on August 6.

He told the Lancashire Telegraph: “It’s took what I would suggest is a contender for goal of the season to be our first goal conceded of the pre-season and we had some wonderful chances to get goals. “But I thought it was a great exercise.

I thought it was a good Rochdale team, a team that just missed the play-offs last year and passed and moved the ball well.

“For us it was a great working exercise, so I am delighted for the players that took part and hopefully moving into Saturday we’ll have one or two coming back.”

He added: “There was one or two tasty challenges, but I thought it was a great workout.”

Blackburn are 2.75 to see off Norwich in their season opener, the Canaries can be backed at 2.60 and the draw is 3.10.