BLACKBURN Rovers have defended summer signing Bradley Dack after he was pictured on a night out in Essex with a Love island star following the club's opening day defeat at Southend.

In a story worthy of the reality show itself, the Rovers midfielder is alleged to have rekindled his romance with ex-girlfriend Olivia Attwood, who played a prominent role in the ITV2 series, which ended last month.

The pair dated while Dack, who signed for Rovers in June for £750,000, played for Gillingham.

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Miss Attwood was coupled up with Love Island favourite Chris Hughes during the series and the pair had continued their relationship in the weeks after the show.

But after Miss Attwood was photographed with her footballer ex at a nightclub in Essex on Saturday night, national newspapers have been speculating on whether this spells the end for the Love Island love birds.

Rovers yesterday took the unusual step of commenting on the rumours and the club was keen to point out that their player had permission to stay down in Essex, following their opening day defeat to Southend. 

A spokesman said: “The players had a scheduled rest day on Sunday, as those who travelled back on the team coach after the game at Southend didn’t get home until very late on Saturday night.

"Bradley was given permission to stay down in Essex, as the ground was only a short distance from where he had been living.

"What Bradley chooses to do in his personal life is his business, providing he is respectful of his role at the club.”