Paul Downing admits his turnaround in fortunes shows just how everything can happen in football.

Frozen out at MK Dons, the central defender found himself an unused substitute at Ewood Park on August 26 as Rovers ran out 4-1 winners.

The following week, with just hours to spare before the August transfer deadline day, he was rushing up to Brockhall to sign for the club on a season-long loan.

MK Dons’ season would end in relegation, while Rovers clinched promotion back to the Championship.

And the 26-year-old will be part of that journey after penning a permanent deal with the club in January after impressing when deputising for the injured Darragh Lenihan.

“It just shows you in football, you never know what’s around the corner,” he said when asked if he’d had time to reflect on his achievements.

“I’m delighted to be at this football club and to win the first promotion of my career.

“When I first signed on transfer deadline day that was the ambition, with such a strong group of players and I knew from the first week in training how focussed they were and how much talent was on show.

“I was always confident that over 46 games we could get that done.”

Downing, who worked under Tony Mowbray at West Brom, helped Rovers keep clean sheets in each of those games.

He wasn’t to taste defeat until the 1-0 reverse at Plymouth in February as he proved something of a good luck charm before signing a permanent deal.

Downing is excited about the future, but doesn’t forget how important it was that he settled quickly at Ewood Park, having arrived in East Lancashire as something of an unknown to most Rovers fans.

He added: “When I signed permanently I said that it was important to get the chance as early as I did.

“I managed to take it and have never looked back.

“I’ve really enjoyed the season and have spoken about wanting to test myself against the better players every day which has hopefully brought my game on and I’ve showed that on a Saturday.

“I want to try and carry on now and hopefully stay around the squad.”