With pre-season around the corner for Blackburn Rovers, there are several players with a point to prove as they bid to impress Valerien Ismael.
The head coach's first pre-season begins on Monday, June 23, giving the boss three full weeks to work with his players before their first friendly against Accrington Stanley.
It also offers some players the opportunity to impress and earn the trust of their new boss. For some, it might be a first opportunity, for others, a chance to change the pecking order.
The Lancashire Telegraph looks at eight players who will be trying to catch the eye throughout the summer.
Aynsley Pears
The Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper is facing his biggest fight for the number one shirt since taking over from Thomas Kaminski.
Balazs Toth ended last season in goal and noises from the Hungarian keeper's camp indicate Ismael plans to keep him there. Whether that's the reality, we will have to wait to find out.
Pears had a much improved season last term after ups and downs in 2023/24. Yet he faces a real challenge to reassert himself to the new head coach.
It will be interesting to see how Ismael balances the two in pre-season and whether the loser is content with accepting the situation.
Scott Wharton
It will be a big pre-season for Wharton, who has been out for 17 months with a serious knee injury. After working incredibly hard on his rehabilitation, being fit and available for 2025/26 was always the goal.
Wharton is on track to return to the group when the players return at the end of the month. He will need time and patience to get back up to any sort of match speed.
Rovers are looking at centre-back options to ease that burden. Knowing Wharton's mentality, he will be determined to prove is still a reliable and consistent performer at Championship level.
If his body can withstand pre-season rigours, it will put him in a great position to make a full recovery next term.
Harry Pickering
Pickering has been one of Blackburn Rovers' most consistent and regularly picked (excuse the pun) players since joining from Crewe Alexandra.
But a three-month lay-off following a knee injury scuppered his season. Despite returning to fitness in April, he only made one substitute appearance as Rovers chased the play-offs.
Yuri Ribeiro held onto the left-back spot and it will be an interesting battle between them. He is arguably the best competition Pickering has had in his time at Rovers, alongside the departed Owen Beck.
Having lost so much time due to injury, pre-season will be Pickering's chance to prove his value to another head coach.
John Buckley
Having ended last season out of favour, John Buckley needs an impressive pre-season to salvage his Rovers career.
It's been widely expected that this summer may be the time for the Academy graduate to move on and for the umbilical cord to be cut.
Buckley needs regular game time and with no early transfer window suitors, pre-season is the last opportunity to get his Rovers career back on track. Though it feels unlikely right now, it would be a welcome sight to see the 25-year-old playing regularly for his club.
If not, it's a chance to put himself in the shop window.
Joe Rankin-Costello
Like Buckley, Rankin-Costello was left out of the final two matchday squad last term. With Kristi Montgomery selected ahead of him, it's a battle to reassert himself.
Rovers are looking for another right-back, alongside Callum Brittain. Whilst they don't have that, the door is open for JRC. They're no longer light on midfield numbers so opportunities in that position will be limited.
It does feel make of break for another of Rovers' Academy graduates. Though he still has the chance to change Ismael's mind.
Jake Garrett
12 months ago, Garrett was preparing for a first loan after winning Rovers' Young Player of the Year. But after a tricky year, his immediate future seems less certain.
His time at Bristol Rovers was difficult and whilst he played more at Tranmere Rovers, he the first name on the team sheet. That leaves an awkward assessment of what his level is right now.
He will have fresh eyes casting their judgement in pre-season. With Adam Forshaw back and Sidnei Tavares signed in midfield, it will be interesting to see if he gets minutes to impress.
We have seen Ismael take to young players like Montgomery and so there could be a route back into the first team for Garrett.
Connor O'Riordan
It's been 18 months in the wilderness for Connor O'Riordan since he signed for Blackburn Rovers. John Eustace didn't trust him and his loan at Cambridge United was a disaster too.
However, a six-month spell with Crewe has restored some confidence in the young, talented defender. Rovers spent 500K on him and so don't want to just write off a young player who clearly has ability.
With Danny Batth's future unresolved, he will get an opportunity to catch Ismael's eye and possibly get some minutes too.
Harry Leonard
After 18 months of injuries, Leonard will be hoping that 2025/26 is his year. It feels a long time since he scored for Jon Dahl Tomasson's side on opening day, approaching two years ago.
Leonard has shown flashes that he can compete at Championship level. He has scored goals and his hold-up play is still impressive.
He needs to stay fit, after a repeat back injury. 22 in September, this is an important year in his development.
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