Blackburn youngster Darragh Lenihan believes the club boast one of the best squads in the Championship even though it is relatively small.

Rovers have allowed 10 first-team players to leave Ewood Park during the close season with, as yet, no new recruits arriving at the club to fill the void.

Rovers go into their first pre-season friendly of the campaign against Accrington on Saturday with just 22 players in their squad and with four goalkeepers and transfer-listed striker Leon Best part of that list, it leaves boss Gary Bowyer with limited options.

Despite this, midfielder Lenihan believes the squad is full of quality and he feels that is more important than having extended numbers in a first-team pool.

He said: “There have been a few departures throughout the summer but the quality is still there. Some teams may have 25-30 players but they might not have as good quality as us and that’s what I think the main thing is.”

The 21-year-old broke into Rovers’ first-team squad towards the back end of last season and he is hopeful that he can stake his claim for a regular place in the side going into the new season.

He continued: “I’ve always tried to take my chance when it comes and hopefully I will do well in pre-season, do well in the training sessions and in the games, and then the manager might pick me come the season.”

Blackburn finished ninth in the Championship last season – a full 11 points off the final play-off place – and they are available at 8.50 to secure promotion in the upcoming campaign.