Jason Lowe is relishing the local rivalry, and a Rovers reunion, next season after penning a two-year contract with Bolton Wanderers.

The ex-Rovers skipper moved to the Macron Stadium last week having left Birmingham City where he had spent the 2017/18 season following his release by Rovers.

Lowe’s 12 year association with Ewood Park came to an end last summer when his contract expired, and he almost made the move to Bolton in 2017.

The midfielder is yet to face his former employers, but that could well change when next season comes around.

Next season’s Championship will see Wanderers, Rovers, Preston North End and Wigan Athletic all involved in the same division for the first time ever. 

And having come up against those sides many times in a Rovers shirt, the 26-year-old is looking forward to life on the other side of the rivalry

“It’s funny the journey football takes you on sometimes,” he told the Bolton News.

“One minute you are rivals and the next minute you’re playing for them but I’m excited to be here and put the shirt on.

“It’s good for the area.

“Living round here it’s better when the local clubs are fighting at a good level of football, just for the fans in general the banter that goes on between them is great.

“I’m sure there will be some tasty games coming up.

“Bolton have always had a good fan-base and I’m sure they’ll be backing us again this year.

“Hopefully we can give them something to shout about.”

The former England youth international, who struggled with a hamstring injury, made just 11 appearances for the Blues last season.

He’s hoping for a fresh start under Phil Parkinson at the Macron and is looking forward to getting a full pre-season under his belt.

On what he can add to the team, he added: “I’ll bring a lot of energy, plenty of tackles, maybe one or two bookings.

“I can get about the pitch. I just try and play my game, I’m a team player and I’ll do whatever it takes to ensure the team wins games.

“Whatever the manager asks me to do I’ll do it to try and benefit the team.”