A little over a month stands between Rovers and the new season. So how would things go in an ideal world?

SECURE DOWNING STAY

Rovers released five players last month, but their sixth out of contract player, Stewart Downing, remains locked in talks over the possibility of an extended stay.

The final day defeat at Luton Town was the first time all season that Downing didn’t feature in a matchday squad, and despite turning 36 last month, has shown no signs of slowing down.

He has expressed an interest in signing up for another 12 months, and while Rovers remain relaxed over his situation, having to replace Downing should he not stay would be far from straightforward.

He offers versatility in terms of position and roles, and his stats across the course of the season are up there with the best in the division, not just the Rovers side.

Getting him signed up would be a boost, and doing so sooner rather than later would make for a strong start to the summer.

GET TOP TARGETS IN

Tony Mowbray will have his targets, and securing a new No.1 goalkeeper and central defensive partner for Darragh Lenihan will be top of his priority list.

Rovers will need to replace Christian Walton and Tosin Adarabioyo, after their respective loan spells ended last month, and do so with permanent options if possible.

Those positions aren’t new areas in terms of needing to be strengthened, so Rovers will have done plenty of work behind the scenes on identifying players.

Their goalkeeper search is hampered somewhat by the fact that so many clubs are looking for a goalkeeper, and therefore the same options. Daniel Iversen, of Leicester City, and Manchester City stopper, Arijanet Muric, were the latest to be linked, but Premier League clubs are thought to be hiking up their demands when it comes to loan players, with the Foxes wanting the Dane's wages paid in full.

Mowbray would ideally want a permanent stopper, to avoid a similar situation next summer, and Rovers’ search could take them overseas to avoid being priced out of domestic options such as Charlton Athletic’s Dillon Phillips.

Sourcing someone of the quality on the ball of Adarabioyo on a permanent deal will be almost impossible, but someone who can provide a calming influence, and offer some pace as well, will be welcomed. Other areas they would like to add, but without the same urgency, are a left back, and an extra attacker.

Rovers haven’t been quick off the mark in the last two summers, with Adarabioyo arriving on the week of the season, with Greg Cunningham on deadline day and Lewis Holtby as a free agent in September.

Rovers’ opening day line-up in 2018 was without a new signing, with Kasey Palmer on the bench, and Adam Armstrong arriving the following week.

While there is plenty of time before the window closes, Rovers will want additions settled in and ready to go for as early in to the new season as possible.

GET DACK UP TO SPEED

Bradley Dack has been out injured for seven-and-a-half months, but in that time has missed just 24 competitive fixtures. He has made excellent progress on his return from a cruciate knee ligament injury, and given the work he’s put in behind the scenes, you wouldn’t bet against him achieving his aim of featuring in the matchday squad on the opening day of the season.

Rovers will understandably be cautious, but equally want to see their star man back as soon as possible, and while September 12 seems a stretch for Dack to be involved, Mowbray will be encouraged that his main man isn’t too far away.

Dack hasn’t lost any of his enthusiasm, having thrown himself in to his rehabilitation work, and adding him back in to the first-team fold will be better than any attacking signing they could make.

KEEP SQUAD TOGETHER

The best laid plans don’t always come off, but Rovers hope to keep the core of their squad together.

It’s certainly not a buyers market, as clubs battle with the financial constraints of Covid-19, so Rovers will hope they face straightforward calls over which players start the season at Ewood Park.

Rovers will hope to build their side for 2020/21 around the influential figures of Darragh Lenihan, Lewis Travis and Adam Armstrong, as well as the returning Bradley Dack, and hope for more from the likes of Sam Gallagher and Ben Brereton.

Indeed, getting the best out of the options at his disposal could well be the biggest job for Mowbray and his coaching team.  But Rovers will certainly want to improve and add to their squad, not be forced in to replacing any of their star names.

GET FRIENDLIES BALANCE RIGHT

It is something Rovers have struggled with during Mowbray’s tenure. Knocking over non-league and League Two opposition in the summer of 2017 wasn’t ideal preparation for life in League One, a point Mowbray made after their shaky start to their third tier campaign.

In 2018 things were a little stronger, with Everton and Liverpool, who they faced again in June of this year, the visitors to Ewood, but again last year, Rangers were Rovers’ biggest test in pre-season.

Mowbray has spoken of his desire to secure Premier League opposition at Ewood, a possibility strengthened by the fact Premier League teams are unlikely to embark on overseas tour given the current climate, and geography could play in their favour.

A League Two opponent has been earmarked, but having worked hard on their fitness during lockdown, and their subsequent return to training, the main focus will be on friendlies before the September 12 start date.