As you would expect, four-and-a-half years into the job, this is now very much, Tony Mowbray’s team.

Indeed, three years on from promotion from League One, this is a squad finally moving away from their 2017/18 achievements.

With Elliott Bennett’s contract due to expire and no new deal struck, it likely means that only Ryan Nyambe, Darragh Lenihan Adam Armstrong and Bradley Dack of that squad will remain at the club, the latter two his signings.

Charlie Mulgrew, Derrick Williams and Corry Evans have left in 2021, while Bennett could follow suit.

Danny Graham and Richie Smallwood moved on in 2020, while Craig Conway and Paul Downing did likewise 12 months earlier.

So where do Rovers’ promotion-winners find themselves now?

David Raya – The Spaniard will next season be playing Premier League football after winning promotion with Brentford. He’s featured 97 times for the Bees since leaving Ewood Park in a deal worth up to £5m and been involved in more Championship wins than any other player in the last two seasons.

Ryan Nyambe – Rovers took up the option within his contract to ensure that the Namibia international will be part of the squad next season, but beyond that, it looks a little more uncertain for the 23-year-old who has passed 150 games for the club.

Darragh Lenihan – Has taken on the captaincy after the departure of Charlie Mulgrew and Elliott Bennett’s lack of game-time, and remains a player that Rovers will aim to build their defensive line around yet again. Their struggles without him continue to be an area to overcome.

Charlie Mulgrew – The 35-year-old, who captained Rovers to League One promotion, found himself back in the third tier with Fleetwood Town last season, after cutting short a stay with Wigan Athletic in the Championship 12 months earlier. Hasn’t played since February because of an injury, and a return north of the border looks most likely.

Paul Downing – Under contract at Portsmouth for another year after signing a three-year deal when joining upon his Rovers departure in 2019, but hasn’t enjoyed the best of times at Fratton Park. Made just three League One appearances last season, and only 22 in all across the last two seasons and could be free to find another club this summer.

Elliott Ward – Finished the 2017/18 season on loan at MK Dons, making 15 appearances, and has since played for Notts County, Cambridge United and now National League side Chelmsford City who he joined in January. Only managed five appearances before their season was curtailed. The 36-year-old has signed on for another season, where he will combine his playing role with being assistant manager to the club’s Academy side.

Derrick Williams – The Republic of Ireland international opted to take up interest from MLS side LA Galaxy and move Stateside. Missed the start of the season due to an injury which had kept him out of action in the final months of his time with Rovers. Was sent off in just his fourth appearance for the club and will now serve a five-match ban.

Amari’i Bell – Currently away on international duty with Jamaica and then his focus will be on finding a new club after Rovers announced his departure last month. The 26-year-old finished the season in the side, ending up on 99 appearances since joining from Fleetwood in January 2018, and will harbour hopes of finding another Championship club.

Richie Smallwood – Won his third promotion from League One with Hull City, captaining the Tigers to the third tier title, despite missing much of the second half of the campaign through injury. Remains under contract at the KCOM Stadium, but is said to be attracting interest from Ipswich Town.

Corry Evans – Will leave Rovers after eight years and 218 appearances this summer. Wasn’t involved in Northern Ireland’s June fixtures as the 30-year-old searches for a new club. Was in and out of the team in 2020/21, with fitness issues continuing to hamper him.

Elliott Bennett – His deal will come to an end at Ewood Park later this month, and with no new contract signed, would then become a free agent. Bennett, who joined in January 2016, is keeping his options open, with interest in the 32-year-old, but there still is the chance he stays on.

Craig Conway – Started St Johnstone’s League Cup triumph over Livingston last month, but has since been let go by Callum Davidson. Conway featured in 34 games, scoring four goals and making five more, but hasn’t seen his contract extended. Now 36, Conway also had a short spell at Salford City in 2019/20 after leaving Rovers.

Ben Gladwin – Hopes to have overcome the injury problems that blighted his time at Ewood Park and has been offered a new deal by MK Dons who he joined back in January 2020. Featured in 30 matches last season, and 39 times in all since joining the club. Now 28, time is still on the midfielder’s side.

Marcus Antonsson – Back in his native Sweden, and playing regularly for top-flight side Halmstads BK, scoring four times in their opening eight league matches. On loan from Malmo, who he signed for after his Rovers loan spell ended in 2018, leaving Leeds United to head back to the Swedish league. Will spend the season with Halmstads, having spent time in Norway with Stabaek in 2020.

Jack Payne – Never quite hit the heights Rovers hoped for during his half-season stay in 2018 and has plied his trade in the lower leagues since leaving then parent club Huddersfield Town. Still only 26, was one of the bright spots in Swindon Town’s season, as despite their relegation, he managed four goals and six assists, and has been linked with a move away this summer. Spent the 2018/19 season on loan at Bradford City, before a one season stay with Lincoln City followed. Remains under contract with the Robins.

Adam Armstrong – His eight goals in the second half of the season, and his relationship with Tony Mowbray from their time together at Coventry City, prompted Rovers to spend £1.75m to bring him to Ewood Park permanently. With 64 goals since, and the prospect of a big-money move this summer, it’s one that has worked out for all parties, the 24-year-old establishing himself as one of the division’s deadliest finishers.

Dominic Samuel – Is on the look-out for a new club for the second successive summer after leaving Gillingham following an injury hit season. He featured regular post-lockdown for Rovers, but left in the summer of 2020, joining Gills in September, and despite an excellent start, with two goals on his debut, the 27-year-old only managed four more across the season.

Danny Graham – Hung up his boots in January after struggling to make an impact upon his return to Sunderland who he joined on a one-year deal after his time with Rovers came to an end. Graham, who turns 36 in August, is concentrating on his clothing brand venture which he set up last summer.

Joe Nuttall – Managed only one appearance before a season-ending injury struck during his loan spell with Northampton Town. Remains under contract at Blackpool, who he joined for a fee in the region of £500,000 in 2019, but has struggled to make an impact with the Seasiders, making only nine league starts and two goals. The 24-year-old could well be primed for a move away from Bloomfield Road after their promotion to the Championship.