YOUNGSTER Darragh Lenihan insists Blackburn Rovers’ boast one of the best squads in the Championship – if not the biggest.

Ten players with first-team experience have left Ewood Park since the end of last season as the club continues to cut costs with no new signings, as of yet, coming in.

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That means Rovers currently have just 22 players – including four goalkeepers and transfer-listed striker Leon Best – on their books going into Saturday’s pre-season opener at Accrington Stanley.

But Lenihan said: “There have been a few departures throughout the summer but the quality is still there.

“Some teams may have 25-30 players but they might not have as good quality as us and that’s what I think the main thing is.

“We’ve got a bunch of about 17-18 players which I feel can match any Championship team and, as I said, that’s the main thing to have, rather than have the quantity of players.”

And Lenihan, who broke into Rovers’ first team at the back end of last season, added: “It’s great experience to train with some of these players.

“I feel some of these playing at Blackburn are Premier League-standard players.

“It’s a great experience for me to come into training, day in and day out, and learn from them, because that’s the main thing as a young lad.

“I’ve learned so much from the likes of Grant Hanley, Jason Lowe and Lee Williamson.”

Rovers’ small squad includes Lenihan, John O’Sullivan and David Raya and will be boosted by the inclusion of less established starlets like Ryan Nyambe.

But Lenihan is determined not just to make up the numbers.

“I was very happy to play the last three games last season and it’s just about making steps,” said the 21-year-old midfielder, whose three appearances for Gary Bowyer’s senior side have come at centre-back.

“I’ve always tried to take my chance when it comes and hopefully I will do well in pre-season, do well in the training sessions and in the games, and then the manager might pick me come the season.”

Lenihan ended speculation over his future when he signed a new one-year contract last week after lengthy negotiations with the club.

“It’s taken a while to get done but I’m just happy to get it over with and now I can concentrate fully on pre-season and just concentrate on the football side of things rather than contract talks,” said the Republic of Ireland U21s international, whose main motivation throughout the talks were understood to be over how much first-team football he would play next season.

“I just wanted to get it done and dusted before the football starts because I want to give 100 per cent commitment and not have to worry about any contract.

“So, as I say, I’m delighted that it’s done.”

And Lenihan, who enjoyed a successful loan spell at eventual League Two champions Burton Albion last season, added: “Now I want establish myself more this season. I’ve only played three games last season so my aim is to beat that next season.”

Alex Baptiste, meanwhile, has agreed a move to Middlesbrough.

The defender, who spent last season on loan at Rovers, will sign a three-year contract with Boro once the formalities of his transfer from Bolton Wanderers are completed.