SHANE Duffy is confident of forming another good relationship with whoever plays alongside him in the Rovers defence following the departure of last season’s partner Grant Hanley.

Duffy returned to action in Saturday’s 1-1 friendly draw at Blackpool, partnering Elliott Ward in the first half before lining up alongside trialist Gordon Greer for 29 minutes of the second period.

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Hanley left last week for Newcastle United, splitting up a pairing that saw him and Duffy play together 39 times last season.

But former Everton man Duffy, who was part of Martin O’Neill’s Republic of Ireland squad that impressed at Euro 2016, says he’s ready to start again in forming a backline relationship with whoever comes in.

“You’ve got to look forward,” he said. “I’m sad to see Grant go, of course, but it’s football.

“Listen, we’re here now and we’ve got to build another central relationship and the players we’ve got just capable of pushing on and having another strong relationship, if I’m picked.

“I’m looking forward to whoever plays and we can only see if it gets better.

“You’re not sure who’s going to play.

“I formed a good relationship with Grant last season, but that’s football and things change. We’ve just got to wait.

“I’m just looking forward to the first game of the season to see how it goes and see how the team plays.

“But I’m confident that whoever plays is capable of forming a good relationship.

Duffy revealed he played longer than expected at Bloomfield Road, but was happy with the workout and is looking forward to more after only returning to Brockhall this week after being given extra time off by Rovers manager Owen Coyle following his Euros exertions.

And he admits he’s impressed by what he’s seen and heard of the new man in charge at Ewood Park.

“It was good to be back out there” he said after the Blackpool match.

“There were a few cobwebs and that, but happy to get 75 minutes.

“I wasn’t expecting that, but I was delighted to get through it. It felt longer than 75 minutes, but it’s always like that you’re first game.

“It was a good test for the lads.

“As soon as I was back in training, I was looking to get involved again and get up to tempo with the lads. I’m enjoying being back.”

He added: “It’s been good from what I’ve heard, speaking to the lads, and what I’ve seen the first week, it’s been enjoyable.

“All the lads seem to be liking it, so we’ll see what happens.

“It’s been tough, very tough, but it’s the same every pre-season. You’ve got to get through it mentally and then your body comes around.

“In a way, I’ve only really been off for three weeks, so my fitness hasn’t really gone that much.

“The first two days were tough, we crammed everything in, then joined in with the lads Thursday and Friday.

“I got fast-tracked a bit, it’s a bit different from normal, but I feel alright, the body’s okay, and hopefully another game next week and get some more minutes under my belt.”