ANTHONY Stokes says the difference in styles between himself and Danny Graham could make them a perfect strike pairing for Blackburn Rovers this season.

The Ireland ace got his first chance to partner Graham when they played 80 minutes together in the heat at Rochdale on Tuesday.

Graham scored Rovers' goal - his third in three pre-season games- in the 1-1 draw and was hooked 10 minutes from time, while Stokes went close to opening his Rovers account on two occasions and completed the full 90 minutes.

Stokes admits it's still early days, but insists the fact Graham can hold the ball up and win headers, while he is more likely to be running at defenders and feeding off knock-downs, could make it a perfect match.

He said: "I thought it went well.

"Listen, it’s a pre-season game so it’s more about fitness than anything else, but we had some good link-up at times.

"Danny is quality. He’s got an eye for goal, he holds the ball up well and I think it's a partnership that could work very well.

"The main aspect is he’s good in the air and I can play around him, I can feed off the flicks from him.

"The other thing is he likes playing with his back to goal, whereas I like driving towards defences and getting at them, so I think it's a natural thing that the ball goes into his feet and playing in and around him and giving him an option, it should work well.

"It’s early days yet, we’ve haven’t played a lot of football together, but with the quality he has hopefully we can work together and play together."

He added: "I snatched at a few and I actually felt worse in Tuesday’s game than I have in the previous games.

"It’s just about building your fitness up at the minute and getting sharp for the start of the season.

"I’m not there yet but I’m not a million miles away either.

"In between the games you’re still training hard. We’ve had hard sessions building up for Saturday and the main thing is just getting that fitness and conditioning 100 per cent. The sharpness will come with more games."

Stokes was deployed alongside Graham in a 4-4-2 in the first half at Spotland, but switched out to the left in a 4-2-3-1 for the second 45 minutes.

He admits that the first option is his preferred one, but he's willing to play anywhere manager Owen Coyle wants him to be.

"I think I need to play in a two up front," he said. "Up front on my own doesn’t really work, but I’ll play left-back if the gaffer wants me to play left-back!

"I play a little bit deeper and sort of drift out to the left, but if you’re playing in a partnership and you’ve got someone with the ability of Danny has to find a pass and hold the ball up, you play around him and you play to your strengths.

"We’ll have to wait and see the team the gaffer lines up, but I’m really looking forward to the start of the season."