Tayo Edun expects a battle to keep the left back spot once Harry Pickering is back fit – but believes his versatility can help him cement a spot in the Rovers side.

The win over Sheffield United was a sixth consecutive start for the summer signing who has covered at left back during Pickering’s absence with a calf injury.

That run has also included being used as a left wing-back, in central midfield and on the wing with the 23-year-old enjoying a promising start to his Ewood Park career.

Tony Mowbray said Edun, a £400,000 addition from Lincoln City, was brought to the club because of his qualities, rather than with a single position in mind, and the 23-year-old believes he can hold down a spot in the Rovers side even when Pickering is back.

“We’ll have to see what the gaffer decides. I’m expecting H to come back and fight for the shirt,” Edun said.

“It’s a competitive group, a young group, everyone wants to play when they’re available.

“We’ll have to see.”

Edun’s breakthrough came in the 2-1 defeat at Blackpool on the eve of the October international break, the one positive that Rovers could take from their Bloomfield Road loss.

He has since completed Rovers’ six subsequent Championship fixtures, largely slotting in on the left side of the defence, but he was given a chance in central midfield at QPR only to be required in the defence for the second half after Pickering’s injury.

That has kept the former Crewe man out of the side since, but Edun has been grateful for the opportunity to get minutes under his belt early in his time at Rovers and hopes to have shown what he can offer.

“I feel like I’m settling in okay, trying to help the team as best as I can wherever I play,” he explained.

“I feel as though I’m able to show what I can add to the team.

“That versatility is something I can bring to the table.

“It’s about trying to be effective wherever I’m put out and trying to learn the different positions as best I can.

“As much as I want to show what I can do going forward, I’m a defender first, being able to do both sides is important.”

Edun played 63 times for Lincoln City between January 2020 and August 2021 before his move to Rovers on deadline day.

He is back in the Championship, a level he has previously played when coming through the ranks at Fulham and also during a loan spell with Ipswich Town in 2018/19.

And he admits the step up in level from his time with the Imps is clear, but something he’s acclimatising to.

He said: “Adjusting to playing against better players, needing to be switched on at all times, things like concentration and style of play and how my team-mates are and building relationships, I think those are the things I’ve been getting used to.

“You’re playing against players who are that bit sharper, it’s being that bit more switched on.

“Playing with better players will help bring the best out of me.”