Stewart Downing, released this summer, suggested the club would opt for an Under-30s transfer policy moving forward.

Bradley Johnson penned a new deal last month, the 34-year-old staying on for another 12 months, and is by four years the club’s oldest player.

Elliott Bennett (32), Downing (36), Lewis Holtby (30), Corry Evans (30), Charlie Mulgrew (35) have now departed at the end of their contracts, and Rovers are heading for a younger, as well as smaller, squad for next season.

That would give weight to Downing’s theory, yet this isn’t a new phenomenon, not least under Tony Mowbray.

It has to be made clear that Mowbray did inherit a lot of experienced players, and alongside those above, Danny Graham and Craig Conway were let go by the manager in recent years.

As the number of players released over 30 goes up, those signed even approaching that age are decreasing.

In 2020, Daniel Ayala was brought in, the Spaniard 29-year-old at the time of his signing, agreeing a three-year contract. The only player aged over 30 to be brought in last summer was Barry Douglas, and it was a season-long loan deal that saw the Leeds United left back recruited.

Finances do play a part, the wage demands of more experienced players often higher.

Two of the players released this summer were Mowbray signings, Holtby agreeing his deal in September 2019 a day after his 30th birthday.

Downing was Rovers’ first signing of 2019, approaching 35 when he penned a one-year deal, and soon followed by 32-year-old Johnson on a two-year deal.

After promotion from League One, with several experienced Championship campaigners already in the squad, there was a focus on youth, teenagers Ben Brereton and Jacob Davenport brought in, alongside Joe Rothwell and loanees Harrison Reed and Kasey Palmer, Jack Rodwell the one point of difference, a 28-year-old free agent.

Peter Whittingham was Mowbray’s first experienced signing in 2017 as he shaped his squad for life in League One, and only one over 30. Paul Caddis was 29 when brought in as a free agent signing to add an option at right back, but he and Whittingham were released just a season later.

Rovers were under an embargo in 2015 and restricted on who they could sign, but there was a clear focus on experience when Owen Coyle took charge the following summer.

There were the signings of Graham, Liam Feeney, Gordon Greer, Wes Brown and Mulgrew, his three-year deal raising some eyebrows, as did a similar contract handed to Anthony Stokes who lasted no more than 12 months. 

Rovers named the youngest side in the Championship last year, the fourth most minutes to players Under-23s, alongside the most for Academy graduates, so there has been a youthful look to the side for some time.

So if there is to be such a policy, conscious or not, it is unlikely to be a real move away from the business Rovers have done in recent times.

Their loan business in 2020/21 included teenagers Harvey Elliott, Jarrad Branthwaite and Taylor Harwood-Bellis but Rovers have young players of their own they will be looking to make an impact in the coming months.

Ben Brereton, fresh from his exploits on the international stage, is still only 22, the same as Joe Rankin-Costello and Jacob Davenport who will be looking to push their claims on further next season.

The sole signing of 2021, Harry Pickering, is also 22 but blessed with over 150 appearances to his name already having captained Crewe Alexandra for the second half of the season.

John Buckley has made his intentions of looking for starts next season clear, while Tyrhys Dolan, not 20 until December, will have the same aim after a breakthrough year following his free transfer move.

The focus on Academy graduates and younger players has become more prominent for Championship clubs in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Player trading is a business model Rovers have looked to try and employ, and the first success story could be this summer should they get the £20m plus fee they want for Adam Armstrong, a player who three years ago cost them less than 10 per cent of that.

Downing says retirement is his likely next move, the prospect of a player-coach role in the EFL something he would consider, but not one he has been offered.

“I need an offer first. It’s hard, with Covid, clubs are going for younger players, they see them as more of an asset,” he said. “There won’t be a lot of budget so that’s the gist of where they’re going.”