Lewis Travis’ team ethic was behind Jon Dahl Tomasson’s decision to confirm his as the club’s new captain.

Travis had been widely expected to be handed the captaincy following the departure of Darragh Lenihan.

Tomasson confirmed yesterday that Travis will take the armband having praised his leadership qualities.

The 24-year-old had led the side in the four games that Lenihan missed last season, and steps up from his previous role as vice-captain.

Travis will lead the side out against QPR at the weekend as Rovers begin their new era under head coach Tomasson, who is preparing for his first competitive match in charge.

“He’s a great boy, he’s a warrior, a solider who takes responsibility for the team,” Tomasson said of Travis.

“He’s a team player, always, and you have leaders in the team, and we have others, but we’re still young.

“He’s a boy who thinks about the team, and team is number one first of all.

“He wants to help the team and that’s why I call him a solider and a warrior in that sense.

“Those players are extremely important, they’re not thinking about themselves but about the team, the togetherness and they’re thinking about the spirit and giving that effort for the club.”

Travis takes on the captaincy following Lenihan’s decision to turn down the offer of a new deal to move to Middlesbrough.

Lenihan captained the side in 42 of the 46 Championship fixtures last season, with Travis wearing the armband for the other four.

It is the third successive summer that Rovers have had a new captain, with Lenihan having taken over from Elliott Bennett who in turn succeeded Charlie Mulgrew.

Travis, who signed a long-term deal with Rovers earlier in the year, passed 150 games for the club since graduating through the Academy.

He is one of the players that Tomasson will look to assume more responsibility following a series of senior departures.

“If you look at the side it’s a very young side, but a lot of talent,” the head coach added.

“There’s a couple of experienced players who are trying to help them every day, inside, outside, which is also important.

“When you’re put in at a young age there should be time to develop and become even better and that’s the environment we need to create.”

Tomasson reported no injuries to his squad ahead of the weekend visit of QPR as Rovers get their Championship campaign under way.

The head coach said he has had his selection in mind for some time, based on both the pre-season friendlies and the training sessions.

Callum Brittain is set to make his debut against Rangers where Rovers will be aiming to make it successive opening day wins after breaking their 11-year duck against Swansea City 12 months ago.

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