David Raya says he will never forget the reception he received on his first return to Ewood Park.

There was applause when his name was read out as the teams were announced before kick-off, but it was the reception as he made his way towards the Blackburn End for the start of the second half that particularly rousing.

Raya was back with new club Brentford who he joined from Rovers in the summer for a deal worth an initial £3m. The 24-year-old spent eight years at Rovers, playing over 100 senior games for the club, since making the move from Spain.

He told the Lancashire Telegraph in the lead-up to the game that he felt he was ‘coming home’ having enjoyed eight successful years in east Lancashire.

While the result didn’t go his way, beaten by Bradley Dack’s 11th minute strike, Raya denied his former side with some smart saves in the second half, none better than his fingertip stop to keep out Adam Armstrong’s save.

And posting on social media, Raya said: “I’d like to thank Rovers fans for the reception I had last night. I will never forget that. Thank you

“Not the result we wanted last night, we go again Saturday. Thanks to the fans that made the trip up north to support.”