BLACKBURN Rovers captain Grant Hanley has declared himself fit and ready to go for the new season – as the club get set to go to a tribunal over compensation for Josh King.

A frustrated Hanley sat out the final 15 matches of the 2014-15 campaign with a calf injury that proved to be worse than he first feared.

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And, while he returned to training before the season was out and made a cameo for Rovers’ U21s, he was not deemed fit enough for a place in the Scotland squad for their huge Euro 2016 qualifier with Republic of Ireland in Dublin.

But Hanley used the extra time to ensure he was up to speed for when Gary Bowyer’s side returned to training yesterday.

The 23-year-old said: “I’ve worked hard through the summer to get myself back to fitness so I’m ready to go with the lads.

“It was one of those injuries that kept me out a little bit longer than expected. I was good to go again and then I had a wee setback.

“That’s what happens with injuries and you have to make sure you’re 100 per cent before you try and force it.

“But I’m glad it’s behind me, I’ve sorted a few issues out, and I’m looking forward to the season now because I’ve missed it.

“I was at the training ground everyday but you’re not training with the other lads and you’re not travelling with them so you do miss it.

“So I’m really looking forward to getting back into it. We’ve got a couple of weeks at Brockhall first and then we’re away to Portugal.

“I’m sure all the lads will be working hard to get our fitness up first and foremost and then prepare for the start of the Championship.”

The Rovers squad will be put through double sessions in their first week back.

And Hanley said: “We look after ourselves in the summer and come in with a base level of fitness so there’s never anybody that’s dying!

“But it’s really tough, mentally as well, so you’ve got to be ready for it.”

Hanley was joined at training yesterday by fellow fit-again centre-back Shane Duffy who missed the last three months of the campaign with a knee injury.

Jason Lowe, who also has not played since February after undergoing an operation on his foot, is expected to return to full training shortly.

Also training yesterday were fellow midfielders Chris Taylor and Darragh Lenihan, who have yet to put pen to paper on new contracts, and goalkeeper Jake Kean, who has seen a loan switch to Northampton Town collapse.

But midfielder Josh Morris, who is set to complete a permanent move to Bradford City, and transfer-listed striker Leon Best were not present.

Rovers, meanwhile, will have to go to a tribunal over a fee for striker King after failing to agree a deal with Bournemouth.

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The Norway international signed for the Premier League new boys in May after turning down a new and improved three-year contract to stay at Ewood Park.

It is understood that Bournemouth’s final offer for King was nowhere near what Rovers are looking for.

Rovers, meanwhile, are getting ready to announce the young players, including fit-again striker Anton Forrester, who have signed new contracts.