Football Season Guide

Following a turbulent 2012/13 campaign which saw Rovers flirt with both playoffs and relegation, new permanent boss Gary Bowyer will be searching for some stability going forward. The Scottish manager, who impressed twice during caretaker spells last term, has agreed a rolling one-year contract at Ewood Park. While Blackburn certainly splashed the cash last summer with the hefty fee paid out for star striker, Jordan Rhodes, it would appear that the purse strings have been tightened somewhat by the club's Indian owners, the Venky family. Bowyer has added to his creative options in wide areas with the signings of Chris Taylor and Alan Judge, while right back Todd Kane returns for another season-long loan spell after impressing last term. Experienced centre half Matthew Kilgallon will also provide maturity at the back, while striker DJ Campbell returns on a two-year deal despite an injury-hit loan spell earlier this year. This would appear to be more of a transitional year for Rovers, who may yet be outsiders for a top six push.