For Tosin Adarabioyo, Tony Mowbray’s declaration of “I wouldn’t be thinking about playing him right back” will be music to his ears.

Twenty minutes earlier, in his first interview with the Lancashire Telegraph, the Manchester City loanee stated his intention that he hadn’t signed to play anywhere other than central defence.

Why this is relevant refers to Adarabioyo’s loan spell at West Bromwich Albion where he he was largely used a full back, rather than his natural central role.

The 21-year-old has signed a season-long deal at Ewood Park and in his favoured position, and with a year of experience under his belt, is hoping to kick on.

He explained: “I’ve not come here to play right back, I’m not a right back. I want to play centre half. It was my first season out on loan getting senior games, so I enjoyed it, but I see myself as a centre half.

“In a second loan it’s really my chance to stamp my authority.”

Rovers’ defensive struggles last season, in which they shipped 69 goals, meant at least one new central defender was always going to be on their transfer wishlist.

“I see him as a defender whose physical attributes can snuff out danger and one-v-one be difficult to get past,” Mowbray said of signing number five.

“He’s strong, he’s 6’5 and should be able to deal with aerial threats, but be composed enough and have the confidence to come out with the ball and more often than not be able to pick out the right pass.

“In his second loan I think he’ll be more relaxed about the job in hand, he understands the division now and hopefully we’ll get the benefits of that.”

Adarabioyo is yet to make a top-flight appearance for Manchester City, but the defender, who has two years left on his contract, has featured seven times in all for Pep Guardiola’s side.

His long-term ambition remains to become a regular at his boyhood club, and Mowbray added: “If he’s going to play for Manchester City then he’s going to have to be one of the top centre halves in the world.

“So coming to play in the Championship he should be able to do it if he’s got ambitions of playing for City.

“He played against us last year and you could see he was a young boy who at his best is fast and strong and you can’t get round him. He has things to work on but he’s here to get better, learn, develop and I’m sure he’ll help our team win football matches.”

For the most part, Mowbray rarely throws new signings straight in to the action.

Adarabioyo didn’t feature in any pre-season friendlies for City, but has declared himself ready to go ahead of Rovers’ Championship opener.

On the likelihood of him being involved, the boss said: “He says he’s done a lot of pre-season, but did have a bit of a thigh strain, but he’s had that signed off and is ready to go.

“Without giving my team selection, he’s in contention but I think it would be difficult to come in and hit the ground running.

“It’s more likely he’ll be on the outside watching, learning how our team plays, the demands on our defenders, and I think it might be wise for him to have a week on the training ground and be used to me shouting in his ear.

“We’re just pleased that he’s here. I’m looking forward to seeing him out there helping us put out fires across the backline.”

The deal to bring Adarabioyo was long and drawn out, but at no fault of the player, according to Mowbray, who was delighted to finally land his man on loan.

“Any supporters who felt the player was trying to put hurdles in the way there was none of that,” he said of the hold-up.

“He is a really nice lad who wants to get on with his football career and wants to play and show everyone how good he is.

“I’m delighted he’s here. There were a few hurdles but that’s modern football.

“I would have to say that Manchester City have been fantastic with us over this deal and the people they have dealing with these deals are very professional and understand our needs and the players needs and thankfully he’s here.”