Back in the big time

Thompson trained with his new team-mates yesterday for the first time since completing his £1.5 million switch from Coventry on Wednesday night.

And the 23-year-old midfielder admits he cannot wait to reacquaint himself with the Premiership after spending a year in the Nationwide wilderness at Highfield Road.

"It's great to be back in the Premier League and I can't wait to get started again now," said Thompson, who has signed a four year contract with Rovers.

"The last 12 months have been tough because there's only one place to be and that's the Premier League.

"So it's not nice being out of it, especially last year when you couldn't even get coverage of the Division One games.

"The Nationwide League has become a bit of a graveyard but people only have themselves to blame for the way it has been run.

"Thankfully, Blackburn Rovers appear to be in good hands and they don't seem to spend money willy-nilly like chairman at other clubs have done.

"So I'm looking forward to the next few years.

"There's some great players here and we've got the potential to be a very good side.

"The manager is trying to build for the future and he's got a good mix of young and experienced players so there's plenty to be excited about."

Rovers first targeted Thompson at the start of the summer after he set the First Division alight with some brilliant performances last season.

And once the 23-year-old knew that Graeme Souness was interested there was only one place he wanted to be.

"I first got to know about it when I read something in the papers and it was one of those things that persisted and didn't go away," said Thompson.

"Then Coventry told me Blackburn made a bid and it was just a case of waiting for everything to get sorted out after that.

"At the end of the day, if you want to be a footballer then there's only one place to be and I'm excited at the prospect of playing for Graeme Souness.

"What he has done here is very, very impressive.

"Blackburn Rovers were struggling when he took over because if you are out of the Premier League for any longer than two years then you really do start to have problems.

"But Blackburn managed to go up in their second season by playing some nice football and then not only that, but they've also qualified for Europe and finished in the top 10 in their first year back in the Premiership.

"So he's obviously got a determination and a desire to succeed which is infectious because it rubs off on other people and, just being around him, you can detect the excitement and ambition to do well."

That ambition and desire is also shared by Thompson who is determined to nail down a regular starting place in Souness's midfield even though it means trying to dislodge the likes of Keith Gillespie, David Dunn and Damien Duff.

"I know there's going to be competition for places but that's good for the players in the the team and it's good for the ones who are out of it because it makes you fight for your shirt," said Thompson.

"When you come to a good club you know you are going to get that anyway because there are already quality players in the squad.

"But that doesn't worry me. If I was frightened by it I wouldn't have come in the first place."

Initially, his immediate aim is to firmly establish himself as a Rovers regular.

But after representing England at Under 15, Under 18 and Under 21 levels, he has not given up on his dream of winning a full international cap at some point in the future now that he is back in the big time.

"I know I've got the ability to do it," said Thompson, who was recently voted Coventry's player of the year.

"I've seen players who are either mentioned in the England frame or who are in it already and I think I have more quality than them.

"So we'll just have to wait and see on that one but it all depends on how you are playing for your club.

"My aim, first and foremost, has got to be to do well for Blackburn Rovers and hopefully things will follow on from there.

"At the moment, though, all I'm thinking about is the short term and doing my best here and trying to improve us as a team."

He may get his first chance to shine at the Riverside tomorrow where he is likely to be involved in proceedings at some point in the afternoon.

Rovers will look to extend their unbeaten start to four games against a Boro side who are also unbeaten.

"It's going to be another tough because there are tough games all over the place in this league," added Thompson.

"Anyone can beat anyone on any given day so we've got to be on our guard.

"But, hopefully, if I do get selected then I'll do the job to the best of my ability."

Keith Gillespie is again out through suspension.

Rovers are likely to choose from: Friedel, Neill, Johansson, Short, Taylor, Flitcroft, Tugay, Dunn, Duff, Yorke, Cole, Thompson, Grabbi, Hignett, Berg, Mahon, Kelly.