Kyle McFadzean insists he's ready to prove any doubters of his quality after returning to Blackburn Rovers.

The defender's on-again, off-again summer was brought to an end last week when he signed a new one-year deal at Ewood Park. Returning to Rovers had always been a priority for the 37-year-old.

John Eustace was always keen to bring McFadzean back to the club and with Danny Batth and Andi Weimann arriving too, the balance of the squad has been addressed. Rovers lacked experience last year but now have more senior pros in the building.

McFadzean is happy to play his role in the dressing room but also insisted his focus is to play regularly. He believes players can get written off after they pass 30 but he wants to prove he's got plenty in the tank.

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"It's nice to help players with my experience and I've said before, they help me too which is good," he said.

"The main thing for me is to come here and play. I want to do well for this club and help them be where they need to be. It's a massive club and needs to be back where it used to be.

"I love playing football and that's me. You appreciate it more as you get on, appreciate every day because you're not guaranteed tomorrow. 

"You need a bit of experience but when you get over 30, some clubs don't want to touch you. I think we have a good mix now, you do need players who can help the young lads. You have to prove people wrong.

"You can tell already in training, it will definitely help. You can hear more voices in training. You need people to keep standards high and guide people through.

"It's a huge club, I used to watch them back in the day and it's a privilege to be here. I've been at some great clubs and this is definitely up there."

On his return, he added: "Yeah it was a little bit (in doubt) but I had faith and I'm here now, that's the main thing.

"I was enjoying having time with the kids, they kept me busy. I spent time running with my brother, that was nice. 

"Obviously, I did want to get back and be involved, wherever that was. But I wanted to be here, it was my first choice and finally, we got it sorted.

"I'm gutted to have missed some of pre-season but I haven't stopped running. I feel good training, I just need some minutes. It's up to me now to work hard and get in the team. I'm determined to do well for this club.

"If I get thrown in against Derby, I'd play but it's probably a week or two too soon."

A new season brings fresh optimism and hope across the division. Rovers fans will be hoping they have far more to cheer about this season.

Remaining tighter at the back and winning more matches will be the key to improvement, McFadzean feels. He also thinks the squad needs a few more additions but is shaping up in the right way.

"We need to be better defensively, we conceded way too many goals.

"Set-plays, you can see when the new gaffer came in we conceded a lot fewer goals. We have to start from a solid base. We want to work our way up.

"Then we need to win more games, it sounds obvious. The year before they were winning, losing, winning, losing. But we need a good start this season and you never know in this league, anything can happen.

"We've had no injuries up to now and we're building. We've had a few new players sign, hopefully we can get a few more.

"We still need to strengthen. You get injuries and it's a squad game. I think we're looking good, we can get better as a group and a good start will help that."

Eustace was a huge reason for McFadzean to return to Rovers. He believes the impact he had last season was evident and is excited to work with the head coach again for a full season.

"Everyone just wants to play that first game. As soon as it comes around, everyone's mentality changes," he explained.

"When the new gaffer came in and his staff, it was very positive. I liked the gaffer before too, he was very good even if just for a little period.

"John was a big reason why I wanted to come back. He helped me to help the group and I had a lot of faith in him. It paid off.

"He was flying at Birmingham and should have never been let go. It didn't work for them given they went down. That's our gain.

"With what I see now, I think we can work our way up. We need a few more additions to strengthen the squad, make people work for their places.

"You have to do that to make sure they're at it every week."