Scott Wharton is continuing to make progress in the early stages of his rehabilitation from a serious knee injury.

The Blackburn Rovers defender is expected to miss the majority, if not the entirety, of next season after undergoing surgery on his left knee.

The 26-year-old is working at the Brockhall Senior Training Centre throughout the summer and has been hitting the early milestone set by the physio team.

Setting small goals has helped Wharton stay positive and motivated in what will ultimately be a long road back to full fitness.

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"I'm six weeks post-op, it's coming along well by all accounts," Wharton said.

"There haven't been any bumps in the road as of yet, the physios are happy and the surgeon is happy with it when I spoke to him.

"I have small targets after the operation, for the first eight to ten weeks. It's trying to reduce the swelling and improve my range, flexion and extension. It's been coming along nicely and I can now go in the pool.

"That's a small milestone and it's small things like that which will help me improve. It's similar to when I did my Achilles, the confidence wasn't there and you have to retrain your body how to walk again.

"I don't think this is as bad because I have been putting weight through it already. It's building confidence and I'll slowly get there, small steps."

The off-season has made the STC a quieter place, with players away on holiday or with their national teams. Rovers' squad are due back for testing on Friday with the first day of pre-season coming next Monday.

Wharton is grateful he's had the close season to make progress with his recovery, with the aim to be fully ready for next pre-season.

"It's been pretty quiet, a few of the lads are in. Hedgy, Harry Leonard, Bucko has been in," he said. 

"It's a weird time to be doing rehab, if I'd done it during the season, that would have been harder, especially coming back and having to catch up.

"The fact I did it at the end of the season, I'd be back similar time, I don't need to rush. Then I'll be ready for the following pre-season."

Wharton is unable to fly for two months after surgery and therefore, has been forced to find other routes to Germany, to watch his brother Adam.

The family have been pictured donning 'Wharton 25' shirts from the Euros, with Scott showing plenty of commitment to support his younger sibling.

"Adam's story has helped me, we are so proud. It has helped pick me up," he admitted.

"The past four months for Adam has been crazy and not something we thought would happen. He deserves it, he's smashed it and everyone from Blackburn is behind him.

"I can't fly, so we've explored all the alternatives. I'm driving to Hull, catching the ferry to Rotterdam and then driving to Germany. It'll be a good road trip!"