CRAIG Short believes Alan Judge has a point to prove on his return to Blackburn Rovers – backing his former Notts County star to shine in his second spell at Ewood Park.

Gary Bowyer has brought Judge back to Rovers this summer – two years after Sam Allardyce let him join Notts County.

The Irish midfielder made his second appearance of pre-season in Saturday’s friendly against Portuguese side Portimonense, which Rovers won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Leon Best. Short, Rovers’ newly installed first team coach, was the man who initially took Judge to Notts County on loan during his time as manager at Meadow Lane.

And he knows the 24-year-old well enough to be sure he has plenty to offer in the Championship.

“I got tipped off about Judgey when I was manager of Notts County by David Dunn, and he did very well for us,” Short said.

“I know a lot of clubs were watching him last year. I worked at Derby and I know Derby were watching him as well. He gave you everything. He was probably a manager’s dream because you knew what you were going to get from him and he’s coming back to the club where he started.

“He will have a point to prove. It happens sometimes in football where players go back.

“He did it consistently in League One. He’ll adapt very quickly.”

While Rovers have faced the problem of some players being tempted by the chance to go elsewhere, in Judge they have someone who was desperate to return to the club where he emerged through the youth system.

Short said: “He’s delighted to come back, I don’t think he ever wanted to leave.

“He’s gone away and he’s got 100 games under his belt so he’ll be an important member of the squad.

“I watched him a lot last year. I watched a lot of League One games and he’s really come on. He’s terrific, he’s got a lot of energy and enthusiasm.

“He’s one of those players who when you’re having a tough time, you can depend on him.

“I think that’s probably what the club need a bit more, people of his ilk and his attitude – and he’s a threat around the goal too, he’ll score goals.

“I think he had the record for hitting the woodwork last year or the year before.

“He was one of my shining lights at Notts County.”