Stewart Downing was a surprise choice at left back for the final friendly at Blackpool, and Tony Mowbray hasn’t ruled him out as a possible option in that role this season.

Downing was the first signing through the door this summer and Mowbray cited the 35-year-old’s versatility as a big reason behind the signing.

The former England international is well known for his ability on the flanks, but the Rovers boss has also spoken about Downing being used in central midfield, as well as a possible option at left back.

Rovers are currently short in that department because of injuries to Derrick Williams (calf) and Sam Hart (hamstring) with Amari’i Bell having only just returned from an ankle problem.

Bell is expected to start the opening game against Charlton having made more appearances than any Rovers defender last season.

But asked if Downing could feature there this season, Mowbray said: “I think it depends on the opposition.

“We haven’t got a left full back who can pass the ball like Stewart Downing.

“He can pass the ball and make good decisions, and if there’s a game where we feel that we aren’t going to get threatened down our left side then we will consider playing Stewart Downing as someone who can pick a pass, put good delivery in to the box, and play that position.

“If we’re playing against Raheem Sterling then it’s unlikely that we’ll play Stewart Downing at left back.

“It’s players for games, I would suggest.

“I told Stewart before he signed, right wing, left wing, central midfield, No.10, left back, all of those positions, because he has high quality and rarely gives the ball away.

“That’s what can be important at times to dominate teams, push them back, make them defend and Stewart’s quality can help us in various positions.”

Mowbray was keen to add more Championship experience to his squad, with Downing and Bradley Johnson, free signings after leaving Middlesbrough and Derby respectively, the first two recruits through the door.

But Mowbray pointed to their quality, and not solely their experience, as the reason behind their signings.

“First and foremost, they are good players,” Mowbray added.

“It’s important in this league to have experience of players used to being involved at the top end of this league, the play-offs, promotion pushes.

“The season is so long that different players will have impacts on the team at different times.

“When you have experience it helps the young lads as when you lose a couple of games back-to-back experienced players are the ones that generally stay calm and believe in the process that will get you results.

“Things are coming together but the biggest test is the big kick-off.

“They are doing okay. I think they have to get used to how we play, what the demands of them are. Every player when he comes in to your club you look at what he does well, what he doesn’t.”

Rovers will look to improve on last season’s 15th-placed finish having fallen away dramatically in February and March.

That left a sense of disappointment after results in January had suggested an exciting second half of the season.

But Mowbray said: “I think it was consolidation last year.

“We got promoted and it was important that in a league with some big clubs, and big crowds, to consolidate and to feel that we could compete in the league and I felt that we more than did that.

“Ultimately we were left a little bit frustrated we didn’t accrue more points but 60 points was okay for our first season back.

“We saw a lot of points slip through our fingers last year and if we can put that right this year then hopefully we finish a lot higher and see if we can threaten the play-offs.”