The aims for each Blackburn Rovers player next season

THOMAS KAMINSKI

Player of the season in an accomplished debut season, the biggest aim of the Belgian will be to maintain those levels and to keep his place in the national team squad. Can expect a warm ovation from supporters upon their return, but it be interesting to see whether he takes the same number of risks with the ball at his feet with a crowd.

AYNSLEY PEARS

Will have a hard task to displace Kaminski, but his job will be to ensure the Belgian keeps his standards high, and should opportunity arise through injury, as it did last season, or loss of form, that he shows his capabilities at first-team level. Having signed a four-year deal has time on his side, but will equally hope for more openings.

RYAN NYAMBE

Faced genuine competition for his spot again from Rankin-Costello, but one of the best one-v-one defender’s in the division, he seems the best fit in that position. His contract uncertainty makes for an interesting equation off the pitch, but on it will look to add more attacking productivity in the final third and put into fruition his work off the field on that side of his game.

DARRAGH LENIHAN

Will take on extra leadership responsibility following the departure of Elliott Bennett, but will equally have individual aims, not least break back into the Republic of Ireland squad. Had an up-and-down season last term, will want to cut out the penalties he gave away, and also improve on his disciplinary record, to be part of a stronger backline. Weighing in with a goal or two will also be an aim.

DANIEL AYALA

After 10 appearances in an injury-hit debut year, and having not played for eight months prior to his arrival at Rovers, he will undoubtedly want to shrug off any fitness concerns to put together a sustained run in the side and prove to the supporters his renowned Championship quality. Could be the experienced head at the back Rovers have craved.

SCOTT WHARTON

It will have been a long road back for the homegrown defender once he does pull on a Rovers shirt again after a ruptured Achilles. Will want to first get back fit and playing, and then to reach the levels he was before injury struck last December. A new contract means there has been a show of faith in the young defender.

HAYDEN CARTER

Returns following an excellent half season spell at Burton Albion and will want to prove to Mowbray there is a spot in the squad for him, otherwise he will want to keep up the momentum from last season, meaning another loan could well be on the cards.

HARRY PICKERING

There is plenty of excitement around the left back, not least given he’s currently the only new face in the squad. Will first want to settle in quickly to cement his place in the side after his January move and subsequent loan back to Crewe. Will need to adapt quickly to Championship football, be defensively strong, but also solve Rovers’ long-standing set piece issue.

JOE RANKIN-COSTELLO

The 21-year-old says staying injury free shouldn’t be an aim, but he will certainly want to improve on the 16 appearances he made last season. All were starts, and he’s become a key component of Mowbray’s side. Has played at right back, and will continue to do so anywhere for the team, but will hope to have chance to show his more creative side, and goalscoring threat, with more opportunities in an attacking role.

LEWIS TRAVIS

The schedule of last season made it difficult for him to get back to the fitness required to be at his swashbuckling best after three months out with a knee issue. Extra responsibility will come after the departure of senior players in central midfield, and Travis is more than equipped to take on that role. Doesn’t lack for confidence and will relish that, while Chipping in with a goal or two would also be welcome.

BRADLEY JOHNSON

Will want to be more than just an experienced head in the squad, as at his best he can be a real driving force in the side. Started each of the last two seasons in excellent form, which he will look to do again, but cut down on the dips that have seen him lose his place. Rovers will also hope to not need to call on him to play centre half again. 

JACOB DAVENPORT

Has had many ‘this is his time’ moments, but coming into his fourth season at the club, Davenport first needs to stay injury free and then hope his patience is rewarded by the manager with some more regular game-time. With a drastic cull in central midfielder’s at the club, there will be a determination to prove his readyness.

JOHN BUCKLEY

In any interview with the midfielder he always suggests he’s happy with his development and number of appearances and times featured in the squad, but starts are the next part of his journey. There were seven last seven, and five the year before, so he’ll be hoping to push well beyond double figures and take on some of the creative responsibility after the loss of Harvey Elliott.

JOE ROTHWELL

Has the talent to take the Championship by storm, but then that has been clear for the last couple of seasons. Got his wish last season of playing in his preferred central role, and did start to add more goals and assists to his game, but more are required. Rovers will need him to be at the top of his game more regularly to help their productivity in the final third.

BRADLEY DACK

His aim is clear: the get back fit and enjoying his football once again. It will be at least two months into the season before we see the 27-year-old again, Dack having started to get back among the goals before a second, cruel ACL injury struck. Won’t be rushed back, even despite his importance.

TYRHYS DOLAN

Supporters will get a first look at the fans’ favourite, and after a dazzling start to his Rovers career, and flashes in the second half of the season, Dolan will want to get back to that and keep learning and developing his game. Will only benefit from his experiences around the first-team, and will want to ensure he remains a firm fixture in the squad.

BEN BRERETON

Will return as the Chilean international superstar on the back of a goalscoring end to the season for Rovers. Still has work to do to ensure he’s a certain starter in Mowbray’s side, but will look to get to that point, and also push for more chances in a central role. Hitting double figures for goals has to be a number one target to build on the positivity he’s created for himself.

SAM GALLAGHER

Will want to shake off the ‘super sub’ tag he had at differing stages of last season, no-one in the Championship managing more off the bench. Will hope for more chances in the central role he craves to find a clear and defined role in the side, and more headed goals will also be another target to help take him into double figures.

ADAM ARMSTRONG

His aim has always been to beat his goal tally from the previous season, and it’s always been an upward trajectory for the striker, but to do it again, he’d have to become only the third player in the history of the Championship to score 30 or more goals. If he continues his form, a Premier League move is inevitable.