'I was probably a bit surprised' - Matty Blair on starting games again for Doncaster Rovers

Injury and recovery certainly played a major role in his absence from starting XIs after the trip to Ipswich Town in mid-September.

But he admits that after the January transfer window saw the level of competition for places in the side only increase, Blair did wonder if he would get the opportunity again this term before being granted a starting berth against Gillingham at the weekend.

“It was a real boost in confidence to get the nod when he told me I was going to be in there,” he told the Free Press.

“I was probably a little bit surprised. It’s probably the position we have the most competition in.

“It was a good vote of confidence and hopefully I can take that forward.”

Blair revealed he was instructed by Moore to carry out a similar role to that he did at Ipswich earlier in the season.

While the makeup of the starting XI under Moore rarely remains the same from game to game, Blair is hopeful his performance at Gillingham was enough to keep him in the side to face Shrewsbury Town.

“It was very similar to the Ipswich game,” he said. “Just for the style of game it was, probably for a bit more cover to protect the back line but he also knows the runs forward are always there.

“I’d like to think I’ve done enough but we’ll see.”

The 30-year-old is determined to contribute in whatever ways Moore sees fit over the coming months.

But as he puts a frustrating period of his career behind him, he remains desperate to be a key figure for the club.

He said: “It’s been a long, frustrating time with the injury and the setbacks and everything else.

“Hopefully I can keep getting more minutes in my legs and proving why I should be in the team.

“Obviously the team come first and what will be will be.”