Blackburn Rovers midfielder Jason Lowe is looking to put an injury-ravaged season behind him and make a return to the first team ahead of the new Championship campaign.

The former England Under-21 international was hampered by a long-term foot problem and as a result was restricted to just 12 appearances in England’s second-tier last term.

The 23-year-old has been a regular fixture for Blackburn since breaking into the first team back in 2010 and 110 outings were made before the previous campaign.

It has been a year of frustration though for the midfielder, who has also been deployed at right-back, but Lowe is hopeful of making a full recovery and impressing in pre-season.

“The plan is to be joining in for the start of pre-season. Last year was a very testing and frustrating season for me,” he said. “These things happen in football and it’s how you deal with them that matters. I’m feeling good at the moment and getting close to where I want to be fitness-wise.”

Blackburn finished ninth in the Championship last season and there is a sense of optimism heading into the new campaign but the current transfer embargo is making life difficult for the club.

The loan market and free agents are the only area Rovers can delve into in order to strengthen their squad and there are huge worries that Scotland international Jordan Rhodes and striker Rudy Gestede could leave for the Premier League.

Midfielder Tom Cairney is one player who has already left after completing a move to Fulham and this could potentially be the start of a mass exodus at the club.

Blackburn are priced at 26.00 to win the Championship this season and an 8.50 shot to earn promotion to the Premier League.