Sam Allardyce believes that attacker El-Hadji Diouf is putting in the sort of displays that his hard work has earned.

The former Senegal international has been one of Rovers' most impressive performers both in pre-season and the first three Barclays Premier League games of the current campaign, as shown on Saturday with his assist in Mame Biram Diouf's goal against the Gunners.

Speaking to Radio Rovers after the match, Allardyce spoke of his delight for Diouf senior's displays.

"He is obviously maturing now, he has been in the Premier League a long time," said Sam.

"On the field he has always been a good player and now he's matured he is feeling the benefits of lots of quality training, lots of physical side that the lads give him as well as the talent that he undoubtedly has.

"He's showing his skills pretty well on the field at the moment, and he appears to have got that bit quicker as you saw with the goal against Arsenal.

"Whereas a year or two before he was getting past them but not getting away from them, but as you saw from the goal he set up he past, got away and produced the pass for the goal."