Lincoln boss Danny Cowley believes Scott Wharton is destined for a career at Championship level, or higher, after signing him on loan.

Wharton re-joined the Imps on a season-long loan deal after playing an hour of Sunday’s friendly for Rovers.

The 20-year-old finished last season at Sincil Bank, playing in 13 games as they missed out in the League Two play-offs.

There had been interest in Wharton, who signed a new three-year deal at Rovers last week, from a number of clubs in both League One and League Two this summer.

But after featuring in all four of Rovers’ pre-season matches to date, he returned to Lincoln where he impressed last term.

It will Wharton’s second loan spell away from Rovers, having finished the 2016/17 campaign with Cambridge United.

And after his signing, Cowley said: “We're delighted to have Scott with us for the season.

“It's something we've had to be patient with it. We know how much growth there is in him as a player and we enjoyed working with him.

“The fact he knows us and how we work, when you're making new signings there's always a element of risk.

“But having worked with him you can reduce that risk.

“He’s going to be a Championship player, there’s no doubt about that, he just needs games.”

Wharton’s signing was announced after the full-time whistle, to the delight of the home crowd.

Though Cowley joked he had to mention the pending signing to his two strikers prior to the game so to avoid any last minute mishaps.

He told the Lincolnshire Echo: “I did mention it to John Akinde and Greeny (Matt Green) to not injure him or any of the other Blackburn defenders as it was on the proviso that they all came through!”