Craig Conway believes the spirit within the Rovers dressing room will make it easier for new signings to fit straight in.

Conway has been impressed by the way that new recruits Jacob Davenport and Joe Rothwell have integrated in to the squad after joining from Manchester City and Oxford United respectively.

The pair will get another chance to impress in this afternoon’s second pre-season friendly as Rovers travel to Vale Park to face League Two side Port Vale.

Conway, one of the most experienced members of the Rovers squad, praised the team spirit at the club which played a key role in the promotion campaign last term.

“They’ve settled in really well,” the 33-year-old explained.

“It was good that we got them in (early).

“Jacob came in last week but Joe came away with us to Austria and they’ve slotted in pretty much straight away.

“If you ask anyone there’s a great group of lads here and I think it’s easy for lads to settle in because everyone’s so welcoming.”

The winger netted Rovers’ first goal of pre-season at Hibernian, just as he had done at Barrow 12 months earlier.

Conway is preparing to move in to his sixth season at Ewood Park as Rovers return to the Championship following the promotion campaign of 2017/18.

The Scot didn’t feature as much as he would have hoped last term, partly down to injury, featuring in just 28 matches.

But his experience will be key to the club’s plans for next season, as will the tight bond of boss Tony Mowbray’s squad.

“Teamwork is everything,” Conway added.

“The group that we had all stuck together last season and when lads were not playing they were always cheering on the lads (who were) and I think that’s a massive thing.

“Everyone’s together.”

A line has now been drawn under last season’s promotion campaign, secured with a win at Doncaster Rovers on April 24.

The hard work began during last month’s training camp in Austria and will continue in the six friendlies.

“The celebrating’s been done.

“Everyone’s just looking forward to getting back down to it, the hard work.

“We’ve got a lot of big games and tough tests as well, which will be really good.”