Leeds loanee Antonsson not daunted by Newcastle United rival Armstrong

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Leeds United striker Marcus Antonsson is back in action for Blackburn, but faces competition from a Newcastle forward.

Leeds United striker Marcus Antonsson returned to action this week for loan side Blackburn Rovers.

The Swede came off the bench for the final 27 minutes of a 2-0 victory over Bury on Monday night to make his first appearance of 2018.

Antonsson scored eight goals for Rovers in the first half of the season and was putting together a decent season after a frustrating 2016/17 campaign for Leeds.

He spent most of the season at Leeds sitting on the bench behind Chris Wood and did not get a proper chance to prove himself under Garry Monk, and he was then sent out on loan last summer.

Blackburn have been in good form lately and that is part in thanks to another loan striker, Newcastle United’s Adam Armstrong.

Armstrong has scored three goals in his last three games and his form makes it tougher for Antonsson to get back to his early season status as a regular at Ewood Park.

Speaking to the club website, Antonsson says he does not have a problem with the added competition.

He said: “The competition is so healthy for the group. Everybody gets better in these situations and you have to be at it on the training ground to show what you can do.”

He added that he was thrilled to have made his return, commenting: ““It’s been very frustrating. I felt sharp, scored goals, got assists and helped the team before I picked up the injury. But you have to work hard to get back and I hope that’ll pay off for me by the end of the season.”

There is another reason Antonsson should be pleased with Armstrong.

His goals have helped Rovers to the top of the League One table and collectively the team are set up for success.

Whatever the future may hold for Antonsson and Armstrong at Leeds and Newcastle, they are in with a chance of achieving something memorable this season and should embrace their position whether they are weekly starters or in a rotation.