The Blackburn Rovers players with points to prove to John Dahl Tomasson in pre-season

The wait is almost over for Blackburn Rovers fans.

After a near two-month absence, Rovers are back in action on Saturday to mark the start of pre-season. Jon Dahl Tomasson's reign in the dugout starts at Accrington Stanley this weekend.

Rovers will fly back to the UK after a warm-weather training camp in Portugal where the first-team squad and a collection of promising youngsters have been trying to catch the eye of their new head coach. The hope is that group bonding, fresh ideas and plenty of fitness work will help preparations for the 2022/23 season, which is now less than four weeks away.

Rovers have a packed pre-season schedule, starting at the Wham Stadium this weekend. A Scotland doubleheader follows next week before trips to Hartlepool United and Lincoln City round off the early-season warm-up schedule.

Whilst the results of these matches, particularly those in the early weeks of July, matter very little, performances will. For many, it's a chance to stake a claim to the new boss ahead of the Queens Park Rangers season opener.

With that in mind, takes a look at some of the players facing an important pre-season.

Joe Rankin-Costello is at a crossroads in his Blackburn Rovers career. Under the eyes of a new manager, he'll be hoping to establish his best position and nail down a regular starting berth.

After initially breaking through as an attacking player, the 22-year-old was often deputy for Ryan Nyambe at right-wing-back last season. Now the Nambian has gone, there is an obvious void to be filled.

However, JRC's talents offensively suited him more to the wing-back role rather than his defensive prowess. Whilst we're yet to be given a clear indication on whether Tomasson will favour a back four or a three-man