Lewis Travis believes Rovers have helped take his game to the next level as he bids for more first-team involvement next season.

Travis was released by Liverpool in 2014 but has progressed through the Rovers ranks to become one of the top prospects at Ewood Park

He signed a long-term deal through to 2021 and will look to push his first-team claims when Rovers head to Austria for their pre-season training camp on Sunday.

The 20-year-old admits leaving the Premier League team, who Rovers face in pre-season next month, was a setback, but one he feels he was bounced back from.

“It’s probably one of the hardest things in football having a setback like that,” the utility man said.

“I’ve reacted quite well though.

“Blackburn gave me the chance, I took it, and feel that I’ve become 10 times the player since I’ve been here.”

Travis is one of a number of fledgling Academy prospects at Rovers to have been released by clubs in the top six of the Premier League.

Joe Nuttall, was formerly of Manchester City, while Dan Butterworth and Joe Rankin-Costello were previously of Manchester United.

And Travis says Rovers offer a great pathway for their young players, adding: “Sometimes the big clubs don’t notice you or you’re not what they want.

“Blackburn gave us the chance and we’ve all blossomed since we’ve been here.”

Travis didn’t feature for the first-team in pre-season last summer, but looks set to be part of the squad who travel to Austria on Sunday for their week-long training camp.

While Rovers aren’t scheduled to play a match in Austria, Travis will be given the chance to catch the eye of boss Tony Mowbray in the six friendlies.

Having featured 10 times last season, the youngster is looking to add to his number of appearances in 2018/19, and believes a strong pre-season will aid his cause.

He added: “Pre-season, everyone won’t play every minute of every game so people know they are going to get game-time. As long as I do well and give 100 per cent when I’m on the field hopefully it will be enough.

“I felt quite unlucky last year not to get on the plane but hopefully this year I’ve been working hard to get there and hopefully I’ll have done enough.

“Sometimes the big clubs don’t notice you or you’re not what they want. Blackburn gave us the chance and we’ve all blossomed since we’ve been here.”

The Rovers players will be put through their paces in Austria, though that shouldn’t pose too much of a test to Travis whose athleticism is one of his key attributes.

“You always have to push yourself, everyone can always get fitter, but I think some of the other lads are dreading it more than me,” he said.

“The coaching staff and the gaffer notice everything, so if you’re at the front in the runs, looking sharp then they will pick up on that and hopefully it comes in to your favour.”