RYAN Tunnicliffe has thanked Blackburn Rovers boss Gary Bowyer for helping restore his confidence.

Tunnicliffe will return to Ewood Park for the first time tomorrow since he was called back by Fulham on New Year’s Day.

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Then Cottagers boss Felix Magath allowed the box-to-box midfielder to join Rovers on a season-long loan on the final day of the summer transfer window.

Tunnicliffe went on to make 17 appearances for Bowyer’s side and scored the first senior goal of his career in the thrilling 2-2 draw at home to Watford in September.

But, just when he was coming into his own, he was recalled by new Fulham boss Kit Symons as soon as the January window opened.

And Tunnicliffe said: “It was great at Blackburn.

“The gaffer there expressed how much he wanted me and stuff like that, so playing me and having faith in me restored my confidence as a player and got me playing well again, got me fit, and I enjoyed every minute of it.

“Now I’ve learnt, grown as a player, and I think I’m much better now which will help me now that I’m back at Fulham.”

Tunnicliffe has played every minute of every game he has been eligible for since returning to Fulham, helping them to back-to-back Championship wins and an FA Cup fourth-round draw at Premier League outfit Sunderland.

He said: “I’m pleased with how I’ve done. I think I’ve come back and settled in quite quickly and I’m just trying to play my normal game.”

But Tunnicliffe has no doubts the Cottagers’ four-match unbeaten run will be put to the test tomorrow.

He added: “Blackburn have got a fit bunch of lads. I think that’s why I fit in so well – they run every minute of every game and, when I was there, we scored a few late goals to nick points, so they keep going until the very end.

“They’ve got the ability to mix it up, too. They’ve got players like Ben Marshall and Corry Evans in midfield, Tom Cairney who can pass it, and also if they want to mix it up and go long to Rudy Gestede. He’s unplayable in the air on his day, so it will definitely be a hard game for us.”

And, asked whether Symons had been asking him for some insider information on his old team-mates, Tunnicliffe said: “He’s not asked me anything yet but I’m sure building up to the game he’ll ask me about what style of play they adopt and who to look out for and danger men.

“I’ll be happy to give him input so hopefully I can help us get the three points on Saturday.”