PAUL Lambert believes Blackburn Rovers are a better team for being less reliant on the goals of Jordan Rhodes as the striker prepares to make his first return to Ewood Park tonight.

The 26-year-old moved to Middlesbrough on deadline day in an £11million switch after scoring 85 goals for Rovers, but Lambert believes the move has allowed the club to start the process of rebuilding.

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Rhodes scored 39 per cent of Rovers league goals in his time at the club, but despite his prolific return the side never finished higher than eighth in his three full seasons.

And asked if Rhodes departure had ended a reliance on his goals and encouraged more collective responsibility from the Rovers squad, Lambert said: "I think so.

"That’s what happens. When you rely on one type of player it can be dangerous.

"Jordan is a terrific lad, he’s a really nice guy, but he’s a Middlesbrough player now and we have to rebuild Blackburn Rovers.

"Our players know about him but we’re playing well enough to win.

"Whatever reception Jordan gets is up to how the fans want to perceive it."

While Rhodes headed for the Ewood exit door in January, strikers Simeon Jackson, Danny Graham and Tony Watt arrived.

And in the hours after Rhodes left Lambert snapped up creative midfielder Jordi Gomez on loan from Sunderland, and the Spanish midfielder has three goals since that move and has provided a creativity from central areas that was missing before his arrival.

"I think we’ve got more attacking options," said Lambert.

"I always said we had to rebuild the club.

"What will happen with the money for Jordan will happen in the summer, but the squad needed to be stronger.

"That’s not a slant on Jordan but it made good sense that that deal went through. We’re a stronger unit now.

"We’re a lot healthier than we were when I first came in. I think we’re more of a team, I think we’ve got players than can make a difference and can score.

"We’re still a long way off from where we want to be but we’re certainly a lot healthier."