Scott Wharton has signed a new three-year deal at Rovers – less than 12 months after agreeing his last contract extension.

The young defender has been rewarded for his progress with a fresh contract which commits his future through to 2021.

Wharton finished last season on loan at Lincoln City, his second temporary spell away from Ewood Park.

That followed on from his six months with Cambridge United in 2017 and a further loan spell could now follow for the 20-year-old in 2018/19.

Wharton, who travelled with the first-team squad to Austria last month, has been involved in both pre-season friendlies to date, starting the opening game at Hibernian and coming off the bench at Port Vale.

He played just twice for the Rovers first-team last season, once in the Checkatrade Trophy, when he was sent off in the draw at Rochdale, and in the FA Cup tie with Crewe Alexandra.

The Salesbury-born youngster made his debut in the 2-2 draw with Burton Albion in August 2016 when Rovers were last in the Championship, and has six senior appearances to his name for the club.