ROVERS boss Tony Mowbray says there was always an intention to send Sam Hart out on loan to further his development in January.

Hart joined League One side Rochdale on loan on Wednesday having made just seven appearances for Rovers since his deadline day move from Liverpool.

The 21-year-old is yet to make a league start for Rovers but will look to return to Ewood Park in the summer with a number of games under his belt for Dale.

Mowbray has targeted adding competition to left-back Derrick Williams this month, with Fleetwood Town full-back Amari’I Bell his number one target.

But Mowbray said: “First and foremost, Sam has been a diamond of a lad who we brought in and having worked with him for the few months I felt as though he needed more first-team experience.

“He has wonderful attributes, he’s very fast, direct, has a wand of a left foot, but we felt that he needed to go and play in a man’s environment.

“That deal would probably have happened anyway.”

Hart played 16 times during a loan spell at Port Vale in League Two last season and despite a lack of game-time at Ewood, he also believes his game has improved since joining Rovers.

He added: “I feel as though that experience gained during my time so far at Ewood Park and on loan at Port Vale last season will stand me in good stead here.

“I’ve still got a lot to learn but I’m here to play, to learn and help the team with my services.

“There are a lot of experienced players at Blackburn Rovers and they’ve all helped me along the way, but it’s important now for me to get game time and progress even further.”

Hart will look to make his Rochdale debut in this afternoon’s game with Southend United and after joining on Wednesday, he added: “The lads have been top class with me since I came in and everyone has made an effort to come over and talk to me.

“I really enjoyed my first day of training and my main aim is to kick on now, play some games and hopefully help keep us up.”