FIT-AGAIN frontman Chris Brown is determined to get up to speed as quickly as possible in a bid to play his part in Blackburn Rovers’ promotion push.

Brown made his belated first-team debut when he climbed off the bench in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at top-six rivals Middlesbrough.

The summer signing came on four minutes from the end of normal time and it was his challenge on Boro goalkeeper Dimi Konstantopoulos that led to Rudy Gestede’s dramatic equaliser.

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After five months on the sidelines Brown savoured the wild celebrations that followed the last-gasp goal that has left Rovers just four points off top spot in the Championship.

The former Sunderland, Norwich City and Preston North End striker knows he is still short of full match sharpness.

But the 29-year-old wants to be firing on all cylinders in time for the festive schedule that will see Rovers’ injury-hit squad stretched to its limits by three games in nine days.

“We’ve got the Christmas period coming up and I want to be part of that,” said Brown, who continued his comeback by playing 75 minutes for the U21s on Monday.

“I’ve been desperate to get back and now that I am back it just a case of getting my sharpness and getting my touch back.

“That will come and then it will be up to me to try and force my way into the set-up.”

Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka was charged with improper conduct by the FA yesterday for the way he reacted to Gestede’s 95th-minute leveller.

Karanka felt Konstantopoulos had been fouled by Brown before the Rovers top-scorer smashed in his 11th goal of the season and his sixth in as many matches.

“I got up with the keeper, just pushed him a little bit, and as it dropped, Rudy stuck in it,” smiled Brown.

“It was brilliant, we were jumping all over the place. The referee gave the goal and that was enough for me.

“It has been a frustrating time but what a game it was to come back for.”

The result was marred by the racial abuse allegedly hurled at Gestede after the final whistle from a stand housing Boro fans.

The FA has launched a probe into the incident while Cleveland Police have started an investigation of their own.

A spokeswoman for Cleveland Police said yesterday: “Officers are still trying to speak with the person who the allegations were made against.

“No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing.”

Rovers lost captain Grant Hanley to an ankle injury at the Riverside Stadium that has left him facing a fight to be fit for this Saturday’s visit of Sheffield Wednesday to Ewood Park.

Hanley has yet to return to full training and should he be ruled out of the Owls clash then Rovers boss Gary Bowyer will be down to just two available centre backs – Shane Duffy and Alex Baptiste – as Matt Kilgallon remains sidelined with a knee problem.

Rovers, meanwhile, will be ball number five in the draw for the FA Cup third round.

The draw takes place at 7pm on Monday and will be televised live on BBC Two.

Third-round ties will be played over the weekend of January 3-4.