TONY Mowbray believes it is important to secure the long-term futures of Rovers senior players to avoid the prospect of a rebuilding job every summer.

Mowbray oversaw 14 departures and 13 incomings during what was a busy summer transfer window at Ewood Park in preparation for life in League One.

But Rovers have now tied David Raya, Ryan Nyambe, Scott Wharton and most recently Elliott Bennett to new deals at the club.

Mowbray said: “I don’t want to get to a situation when you have to replace eight or 10 players every summer just because players are running out of contract.

“A succession plan, long-term plan, whatever you want to call it, it is important that the players that I like and the ones I want to keep to try and get them signed up for the longer term.

“Elliott has shown great commitment to the club and believes that we are going to get out this division.

“I’m delighted that he has, first because of his attitude, but also because of his versatility.

“He is able to play central midfield, wide either side, off the striker, emergency full-back, whatever you want from him, he will do it.”

Of the players to have represented Rovers so far this season, excluding loanees, only Craig Conway, Liam Feeney and Elliott Ward are out of contract at the end of the season and the club have the option to extend Danny Graham’s deal for a further year.

Summer arrivals Richie Smallwood, Bradley Dack and Dominic Samuel all signed up for at least two years, while senior players Darragh Lenihan, Charlie Mulgrew, Derrick Williams and Corry Evans’ contracts run to 2019.

Bennett joined Rovers in January 2016 and despite a difficult start to life in East Lancashire he has become a near ever present this calendar year.

The midfielder has played every game so far this season and has signed a two-year extension on a contract that was due to expire in the summer.

Mowbray was delighted to secure the signature of fans’ favourite Bennett who has played 64 times in all competitions for Rovers. 

And the manager said the 28-year-old offers much more than his energy and drive on the pitch.

He added: “What I would say is that Elliott is more than just a footballer.

“While he’s not captain, him and Craig (Conway) would probably run that dressing room.

“As a manager I don’t spend every minute in there, it’s their dressing room and when I have meetings and sometimes I blow my top at them, they have to resolve that and any dressing room is only as good as the senior professionals in there.

“What you have got in Elliott Bennett is a top class human being and a very talented footballer with a fantastic energy level

“The fact that he is a fantastic human being, he knows right from wrong, and you need that from your senior players.”