Jonathan Woodgate says he has ‘nothing but respect’ for Tony Mowbray and will look to ‘pick the brains’ of the Rovers boss this afternoon.

The pair will face each other as managers for a third time at Ewood Park today, with Woodgate having also played for Mowbray during their time at Middlesbrough.

Woodgate went on to take charge of the Riverside club, including twice against Rovers last season, and after leaving the club last June, is now in interim charge of Bournemouth who he initially joined as a coach.

He holds Mowbray in high regard for his achievements as both a player and manager, and is looking forward to their latest reunion.

“He’s someone who is a Middlesbrough legend. He was manager when I was a player,” Woodgate told the Daily Echo.

“He brought me to the club for a second spell. I’ve got nothing but respect for Tony Mowbray.

“He’s had longevity in the game as well, had promotions with different clubs, plays good football at Blackburn, they’re a good footballing team.

“They’ve got some excellent players, so it will be good to pick his brain if I see him after the game. He lives in the same village as me as well.”

Rovers beat Woodgate’s Middlesbrough in August 2019 courtesy of a Danny Graham penalty and then drew 1-1 in the reverse fixture at the Riverside in February 2020.

Mowbray believes Woodgate has Premier League quality players to select from as the Cherries look to climb back into the top six, with a game in hand on sixth-placed Reading who they trail by a point.

Bournemouth edged the opening day fixture 3-2, but have doubts over the fitness of attacking midfielders Junior Stanislas and David Brooks.

“I know Jonathan Woodgate very well, the challenge we’ll face against Bournemouth will be more regarding their players, than Woody,” Mowbray added.

“Their players have been Premier League footballers and they have high quality all over the park. They’re a pretty expensively assemble group of footballers and that there in itself is our challenge.

“It’s one that we can rise to and one I believe we can overcome, but although we need to bounce back from (the Wycombe) disappointment, we also need to look forward to the challenge of playing Bournemouth at Ewood Park.”