Barrow and Rovers have forged close links in recent seasons – and they will only grow stronger after the appointment of David Dunn as their new manager.

Dunn was unveiled by the newly-promoted League Two side last week after Ian Evatt’s decision to switch to Bolton Wanderers, recently relegated from League One.

Rovers loaned three players to Barrow in the National League winning campaign, with Dunn set to enquire about the return of two of them on loan ahead of the new League Two season.

Central defender Matty Platt extended his contract at Ewood Park by a further year, with the 22-year-old having enjoyed a promising loan spell at Holker Street playing 29 times.

Platt was in the Rovers matchday squad for the August defeat at Fulham, having featured in the Carabao Cup win over Oldham, but is still waiting to make his league debut for the club.

And after loan spells with Accrington Stanley and Southport, Dunn will hope Rovers make him available once again.

Tom White meanwhile, played 18 times since joining on loan in November, scoring twice, with the central midfielder having made eight appearances for Rovers Under-23s side before making the loan switch.

"I think it is something we'll look into. Tom and Matty did very well for Barrow last year, so the fans will have a connection with them anyway,” Dunn told the NW Mail.

"It's very important that the recruitment process is right - nowadays it's more important than ever to get that right, so we'll be working really hard to attract the right players to the club to give us the best chance."

Dunn is in the process of putting together his backroom team, after the departure of Evatt’s assistant Peter Atherton to the University of Bolton Stadium.

He added: "I'm speaking to a number of candidates for the jobs, but it's happened so quick for myself, coming here, so it is going to take a bit of time.

"What I don't want to do is rush because I want to get the right people around me and go on from there, so hopefully in the coming weeks we can make some appointments."