Blackburn Rovers midfielder Jason Lowe is determined to win his place back in the Rovers midfield next season after enduring an injury-ravaged 2014-15 campaign.

Lowe only started 11 Championship matches last term after suffering a stress fracture in his foot, but is confident that he will be fit for the start of the new season, which gets underway on August 8.

“The plan is to be joining in for the start of pre-season,” said the 23-year-old former England Under-21 international.

“Last year was a very testing and frustrating season for me. But I’m feeling good at the moment and getting close to where I want to be fitness-wise.

“Hopefully now my foot is a lot stronger. It’s been screwed and, fingers crossed, there won’t be a recurrence.”

Meanwhile, Rovers boss Gary Bowyer believes the return to full fitness of Lowe and Shane Duffy will be a big boost for his squad.

Rovers are 2.50 to beat Wolves in the opening match of the season and 8.50 to be promoted in 2015-16.

Duffy missed the final three months of last season but has been given the all-clear to resume full training after recovering from the serious knee injury he sustained in February.

“Having them both back will be like new signings,” admitted Bowyer, who was appointed Rovers boss on a permanent basis in March 2013.

In his first full season in charge at Ewood Park, Blackburn finished eighth in the Championship, while last term they clinched ninth spot and also reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup before being edged out by Liverpool after a replay.