RICHIE Smallwood is promising hard graft in the middle of the Rovers midfield and believes their quality at the top end of the pitch will shine through next season.

Smallwood, along with Peter Whittingham, are two central midfielders brought in by Tony Mowbray already in this window, with the Rovers boss keen to make additions at the top end of the pitch as well.

The 26-year-old believes that he can play a key role in helping Rovers to their aim of promotion next season as they try to make a quick return to the Championship.

And the former Rotherham United man is expecting plenty of competition for places in all areas of the team.

“I’m a very hard worker,” said Smallwood.

“I like to do the dirty work, but I can also pass the ball and get forward as well.

“I’d like to add a few more goals and assists to my game, but I tend to do the dirty work and get the ball to let the flair players and let them do the business at the top end of the pitch.

“You need that (hard work), but you also need the quality, which I think the squad has got in abundance.

“I think the difference between the Championship and League One is just the quality in the final third and the quality in the final third at this club will be the difference I think.

“Hopefully everybody stays fit, there’s good competition and hopefully we’ll have a good season.”

Smallwood was Rovers’ second summer signing after joining on an initial two-year deal.

His arrival, along with that of Whittingham, has strengthened a Rovers midfield which has lost Jason Lowe, Danny Guthrie and Hope Akpan since the end of last season.

All three were released following relegation from the Championship, leaving Corry Evans as the only senior central midfield on the club’s books.

Evans has played just 26 minutes for Rovers so far in 2017 because of a long-standing groin injury. But he has worked hard throughout the close season at Brockhall, and is expected to resume pre-season training with the rest of the squad when they return for fitness testing tomorrow