Elliott Bennett wants the fans to play just as big a part as they did in the club’s successful promotion bid next season, and believes boss Tony Mowbray deserves great credit for the turnaround in fortunes.

Rovers will look to stabilise themselves in the Championship once again next season following the relegation campaign of 2016/17.

Bennett was part of that squad, but having signed a long-term deal last November, is eyeing a more successful crack at the second tier this time around.

And the 29-year-old is looking to give something back to the Rovers supporters for sticking by the team.

He said: “You need it. When you’re chopping and changing managers, and things maybe aren’t working as well, you get a bit of discontent from the sidelines.

“Since the gaffer’s been here, that hasn’t happened. Even when we got relegated, the fans were with us all the way.

“They saw that we were trying our hardest to stay up and then obviously last year they came in their numbers and backed us, and I think that’s great credit to the gaffer and his coaching staff.

“They brought a real togetherness, not just on the pitch, but obviously with the fans as well.”

Bennett joined Rovers in January 2016 but didn’t become a regular in the side until Mowbray replaced Owen Coyle in the Ewood Park hotseat back in February 2017.

Since then he has played in a variety of different positions and become a key fixture in the side which prompted the club to reward him with a new deal through to 2020.

Bennett’s next appearance for the club will be his 100th since joining from Norwich City.

Rovers will learn their opponents for the 2018/9 campaign tomorrow, and relishing the new campaign, Bennett hopes the club can enjoy another successful season.

The utility man told the club website: “Yes, I love this football club. I love being here.

“The town and the club has taken to me and any chance I get to give back, I try to do that.

“Hopefully we can make the town proud again next season.”