Jon Dahl Tomasson hopes Rovers can make home advantage count ahead of their curtain raiser against West Brom.

Carlos Corberan’s side also came close to the play-offs last season, and Tomasson is expecting a tough encounter on the opening day.

“They have very good players,” he said. “It is a good team, a good club, and they have a very good coach.

“I am looking forward to playing the game at home, our fortress, with our fans.

“There were fans against Girona but now there will be more because it is the real thing, and that is really nice.”

Tomasson is keen to build on the positives from last season but admits the Championship isn’t about to get any easier.

“Last season was a great season, probably the best in a decade in the league and also the cups,” he continued.

“At the same time, we created an identity of playing which is also in the 21s, trying to get that in as a club.

“Now it is a very competitive league, probably more competitive than last season, and we will create and develop young players.

“We will try to win as many games as possible but we all know it is going to be a competitive league.

“I want to create a dominant game with and without the ball. We need to entertain our fans like we did against Girona.”

Ash Phillips is close to finalising his move to Tottenham Hotspur, and Tomasson believes that the young defender has big things ahead of him.

“Ash is going to be a great player, I am happy for him,” he stated. “It is a big compliment for our Academy as well.

“In a way it makes you proud when you see the development within a year, how good it has been.

“Then he moves to a bigger club at a higher level, and you are proud as a coach. Of course, you would always rather keep him but that is part of the game.

“It is great to see that he is going to a higher level and he deserves that. He is going to be good for England later as well.”

When asked if he was surprised by how soon the move has come for the youngster, Tomasson replied: “No because of a combination of being extremely ambitious, a high level of effort every day, and being able to learn and do the right things. Then things can go quite quickly.”

Thomas Kaminski also departed Ewood Park this week, heading to Premier League newcomers Luton Town ahead of the new campaign.

When asked how important it is that the club reinvests the funds generated from player sales, Tomasson said: “It is always important to strengthen the squad where you are able to.

“We all know that there is a challenge for our club at the moment, but everybody is staying together and working hard to solve that challenge.

“As Steve Waggott said, hopefully he will bring more players in – together with Gregg (Broughton). They are working hard on that.”