After a season of struggle, Blackburn find themselves in League One, becoming the first Premier League champions to plummet so far down the English footballing ladder.

A terrible first half of the season with Owen Coyle in charge left Rovers lingering in and around the drop zone, which in truth, they never recovered from.

When the Scot left Ewood Park in February, and he was replaced by Tony Mowbray, he left the former Coventry boss with an almost impossible task of keeping Blackburn afloat, which ultimately he just fell short in achieving.

Mowbray is now left to clean up the mess that Coyle has left behind, and that starts by achieving promotion back to the Championship at the first time of asking.

Wigan and Bolton have done it in the last two years, so Blackburn will take heart from that, but their squad is in tatters at the moment, which the other two sides weren't.

Blackburn at the moment don't have a large squad, mainly due to contract expirations and loan players returning to their parent clubs.

One of those loan stars, and someone who they must try and get back, is Tommie Hoban.

The Irish centre back spent last season on loan on Ewood Park from Watford, and majorly impressed, having a huge impact on Blackburn's bid to beat the drop, none more so than a late winner at relegation rivals Nottingham Forest.

Hoban is a solid defender, but also competent on the ball, which could make him a key part of how Mowbray wants to play.

In League One, it is imperative that a defence is tight, and without Hoban, you fear that Blackburn's won't be as tight as Mowbray would hope.

Watford are unlikely to utilise the Irishman, so a deal is feasible, and with a new manager in charge at Vicarage Road, Rovers could maybe even try their hand for a permanent move.