REIGNING player of the year Markus Olsson has vowed to work hard to show Gary Bowyer he deserves his place back in the Blackburn Rovers team.

Olsson has had to settle for a spot on the bench in Rovers’ last two games after Tommy Spurr regained the left-back spot.

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The Sweden international was a virtual ever present last season and his consistently solid showings led him to being named by supporters as their player of the year.

But, with Spurr now fully recovered from the groin injuries which ruled him out for the best part of 10 months, Olsson accepts he has a fight on his hands.

And it is one he will not complain about.

Olsson said: “Every position in the team shouldn’t be easy.

“I’ve just got to work hard and show the manager I want to play.

“I always want to play but if I don’t play, I’ll support the other players, of course.”

Friday’s derby showdown with Bolton Wanderers will be Rovers’ last match before the international break.

With Euro 2016 just around the corner Olsson is determined to return to the Sweden set-up.

“I think every player who has the chance to represent their country wants to do that,” said the 27-year-old, whose last international cap came in 2012.

“I’m waiting and until then I just have to work hard and perform well for the club.”

Olsson has been joined at Rovers by a fellow Swedish speaker after Modou Barrow signed on loan from Swansea City.

And Olsson, who recommended the club to Barrow, said: “He didn’t play when I played in Sweden as he played in the Championship.

“But he did well and then I started hearing about him.

“I played against him last season, two times, and now I’ve seen him in training.

“He’s a good player, with lots of pace, who wants to take on his man. He’ll be a good addition to our squad.

“And it’s good he speaks Swedish. We have our own banter!”