Stewart Downing has contemplated the thought this could be his last season as a player.

Downing re-signed for Rovers in November and is still waiting to make his first Championship start of the season, with seven substitute appearances to his name.

As things stand Downing, who spent time in the summer coaching in the Rovers Academy, could opt to hang up his boots at the end of the season should his game-time not become more regular.

Downing, signed as a free agent when leaving boyhood club Middlesbrough in 2019, was involved in every matchday squad of 2019/20 and played 44 times, coming third in the club’s player of the year vote.

However, having signed after the transfer window had closed, and with competition in midfield strong, the 36-year-old has found opportunities harder to come by, subbed off an hour into the FA Cup tie against Doncaster earlier this month.

Downing says he understands the situation, but admits the summer could well see him hang up his boots, having last year stated that only the offer of a contract from Rovers kept him playing on.

“I’ve literally had that conversation this week,” he told BBC Radio Lancashire.

“If the situation doesn’t change and not that I’m blaming him (Mowbray), but if I’m not playing, I’d probably leave it and retire.

“The game is moving on, I’d be coming up 37 and wouldn’t have played for months, that’s not great or ideal in my situation.

“That’s not to say I’m not enjoying it, but I’ve generally played throughout my career, coming back late didn’t help, but that was to do with Covid.

“I spoke to the manager about coaching and he said let’s have a chat about that in two or three months’ time because if you asked me I’d probably move on and coach because I’m not playing.

“But in three months’ time if I’m in the team, I’m fit and I’m doing well and I could play another year then I might play on.

“That’s how I’ve left it. We’ll see if I get back in the team and The other thing is this club, or another, has to offer me a contract and I can’t play if I haven’t got a contract so I have to earn one and that’s the conversation I’ll have.

“I’m relaxed about that, there’s no pressure, he will pick me on performances and if the team is doing well then I won’t play and if I’m needed I’ll come and play.

“I’ll speak to him a couple of weeks before the end of the season and make a decision on what happens.”