David Raya says not featuring in the final four games of last season had no part to play in his departure as he prepares to come ‘home’ with Brentford tomorrow.

Raya left for Griffin Park in a deal worth an initial £3m in July, ending an eight-year association with Rovers. He makes his first return tomorrow but insists it was the opportunity of a fresh challenge that persuaded him the time was right to move on.

The 24-year-old keeper says it hadn’t been his intention to leave this summer, but admits he may have become ‘comfortable’ had he decided to stay.  But the Spaniard has nothing but fondness when looking back on his time in east Lancashire.

“The last four games, I spoke to the gaffer and he wanted to give a run in the team to Jayson and I was completely fine with it. I wasn’t dropped or anything like that,” Raya told the Lancashire Telegraph

“It (the move) was nothing to do with that.

“I think it was the right time for me to move on to a new challenge in my career and my life and it was the decision I made.

“I always had a good relationship with the gaffer.

“Those four games we had nothing to play for and I think it was the right thing to give Jayson a chance.

“I would have wanted the same thing is I was in that position to get that chance. I had no problems with the gaffer.”

Raya had come in for criticism earlier in the season from the manager, as Rovers continued to ship goals at a regular rate.

Leutwiler was preferred for the final four games of last season, with Mowbray saying it was to allow him to assess the Canadian whose deal was set to expire in the summer.

Mowbray had previously stated he would look to acquire a more experienced ‘keeper in the summer, but instead opted for Christian Walton to be Raya’s replacement, the 23-year-old joining on a season-long loan deal from Brighton.

Despite finishing last season out of the team, Raya said he had never thought about the possibility of moving on prior to Brentford’s interest, having still had two years left to run on his Rovers deal.

“It was just how it worked out. I did not see it coming,” Raya added.

“When the move came about, I got in touch with the goalkeeping coach at Brentford and I just thought this opportunity was the time to move on.

“Sometimes when you spend a lot of time in one place you can become comfortable and I felt like it was time for me to move on.

“To see a new challenge, it was the right decision in my opinion.”

Rovers will be aiming for a third consecutive home win tomorrow night, but face a Brentford side who have taken 15 points from the last 18 available, keeping three clean sheets, to move within touching distance of the top six.

“I am looking forward to it. For me Blackburn is my home, it is where I grew up so I feel like I’m coming home,” he added.

“I’m really looking forward to the game.”