Blackburn Rovers are preparing for their first season in the third-tier of English football since the 1979-80 campaign, following relegation last year. And they have placed their faith in Tony Mowbray, who was appointed back in February, to guide them back to the Sky Bet Championship.

Mowbray has already pulled off a shrewd piece of business this summer, convincing Cardiff City’s Peter Whittingham to drop down into League One, with a view of helping the Ewood Park club to promotion in under 12-months’ time.

There will be expected to be more comings and goings in Lancashire this summer, and one player who Mowbray should consider a move for is Michael Kightly, who is now a free agent following his release from Burnley.

Kightly found opportunities limited in the Premier League last season, spending the second-half of the campaign with Blackburn’s Championship rivals, Burton Albion, helping the Brewers avoid the same fate as Mowbray’s side.

The 31-year old has heaps of experience in the Football League, and showed how much of an asset he can be whilst with Burton in the Championship last season, scoring four goals from 12 appearances for Nigel Clough’s side.

Kightly might have offers from the Championship over the summer, particularly after his late season form with Burton. However, if Mowbray can convince the winger to move to Ewood Park, in the same way he did with Whittingham, Rovers could secure a deal for the 31-year old.

If Mowbray can convince Kightly to drop down into League One, Blackburn would be getting their hands on a very good player and potentially taking another giant stride to making an instant return to the Championship.