BLACKBURN Rovers new boy Jay Spearing has declared himself fit and raring to go after completing his loan move from Bolton Wanderers.

But the 26-year-old, who yesterday pen to paper on deal keeping him at Ewood Park until the end of the season, does not expect to walk straight into Gary Bowyer’s side.

Spearing, who could make his Rovers debut in today’s home clash with Fulham (3pm), said: “When you come in on loan you can’t just expect to walk into the team.

“It’s something you have to earn. I have to prove to the new manager that I’m capable of helping the team out and pushing them up the league table.

“I’m as fit as I could be and I’ve been training hard over the past couple of weeks so I’m ready to roll if the manager calls.”

Rovers boss Bowyer has been a long-term admirer of Spearing.

He tried to sign him before the midfielder joined Bolton from boyhood club Liverpool in the summer of 2013.

And, after new Wanderers boss Neil Lennon made it clear he would be willing to let his captain leave in the January transfer window, Bowyer made his interest known.

But it appeared he would miss out on Spearing for a second time after Watford appeared on the verge of signing him in a player exchange deal.

But the move fell through and Bowyer moved swiftly to make the Merseysider the second player he has brought in on loan from Bolton this season after defender Alex Baptiste.

Spearing, who scored in Wanderers’ 4-0 home win over Rovers last season, said: “Rovers are a massive club.

“The facilities and the squad they have are fantastic so it was an easy decision to make.

“I know a few of the lads and Baps told me a lot of good things about the club so that has made it even easier for me to settle in.

“Hopefully I can gel straight away and crack on and get some game time under my belt.

“As soon as you walk in here you can tell what a huge club it is and it has the stature to get back up to the Premier League.

“I believe the squad here is capable of getting into the play-offs and that’s what everyone is keen to do.

“Admittedly there is a bit of a gap now but I don’t think it’s unachievable if we concentrate in each game.”

Spearing was an integral member of the Wanderers side under Dougie Freedman.

But he has fallen down the pecking order after Lennon took over from Freedman in October with his last start coming three months ago.

Lennon said: “Jay never gave us one day trouble.

“But he wasn’t playing and it is important for him to get out and play some games at this stage in his career.”

Bolton have the option of recalling Baptiste back from his season-long loan before the close of the transfer window at 11pm on Monday.

But Bowyer, speaking at his press conference on Thursday, said Lennon had not given him any indication that he intended to activate the clause.