CRAIG Conway reckons the returning Gordon Greer will prove to be a leader for Blackburn Rovers – on and off the pitch.

Veteran centre-back Greer has been reunited with winger Conway after signing for Rovers for the second time in his 16-year career.

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The duo have previously played together for both club and country with Brighton & Hove Albion and Scotland.

Greer captained Brighton to the League One title and a trio of play-off finishes in the Championship before his release from the Amex in May.

The 35-year-old joined Rovers earlier this month on trial and impressed new boss Owen Coyle enough to earn a one-year contract.

Greer will provide cover and competition for Shane Duffy and Elliott Ward at the heart of the defence.

And Conway reckons he will also act as a positive influence on the club’s young centre-backs like Scott Wharton, Matthew Platt and Tyler Magloire.

“Gordon Greer is a top professional,” said Conway, who was on loan at Brighton from Cardiff City before signing for Rovers in January 2014.

“I played with him for Scotland and when I was on loan at Brighton and I cannot speak highly enough of him.

“He’s a leader on the park, he speaks really well, and he demands high standards.

“I was really impressed with him when I played with him so I think it’s a really good signing for us because I think we needed someone like that.

“We’ve got an international player who’s vastly experienced and that can only be a good thing not just for the defence, but for the team.

“I think he’ll also help the younger lads like Scott Wharton, Tyler and the other defenders coming through the ranks. He will be brilliant for them.

“And we’ve got the experience of Wardy – and Duffy’s not short on experience either. Okay he may be younger than Wardy and Gordon but he’s an international now who has played at the highest level.”

Jason Lowe is expected to take over the Rovers captaincy following the departure of Greer and Conway’s international team-mate Grant Hanley to Newcastle United for £5.5m.

But Conway has also donned the skipper’s armband during pre-season.

And the 31-year-old, whose young son is growing up to be a Rovers supporter, said: “I’ve never had that in my career before but I’m one of the older ones in the squad now.

“In fact I’m glad that Gordon has signed because he’s brought the average age up for me.

“But it was an honour to captain Blackburn Rovers. Even if it was only for 45 minutes before I came off injured.

“Believe you me they found it hard to get the armband off me. I came off and I still had it on.

“Lowey is a real leader from the back and he speaks really well.”