Todd Cantwell admitted his workload will need to be managed in the early weeks of his Blackburn Rovers career after missing pre-season.

The midfielder has been training his new team-mates for the last two weeks and fans are excited to potentially get a first glimpse of their marquee signing on Saturday against Bristol City.

Cantwell believes he will be fit and available to play some part against the Robins, even if that's from the bench. He did concede, though, that it might take a bit of patience for him to get up to full match speed.

The 26-year-old missed most of pre-season after being forced to train away from the main group at Rangers following his request to leave the club.

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"I definitely think I can be ready to go," Cantwell said.

"I've had some tough sessions and if I can get through that, I can get through games. The management here will be very important here with how I'm integrated back into consistent games in the Championship.

"We know what it's like, there are a lot of games in quick succession. We will have to be sensible with not trying to do too much, too early.

"I am desperate to play so if you ask me I'm ready to go but that's why we have medical advisors and management to make those decisions."

"It was difficult (training away), it's not a situation you ever want to be in as a player," he added.

"I got on with all the players in the changing room and when you're sat watching that happen, they go out to train, you wonder if you've made the decision or if you're doing the right thing.

"It's difficult as a player but at 26, you get some maturity that there is a bigger picture. That's what I kept telling myself in the hard days. I'm ready to step forward now, get back on the pitch and show where I'm at."

Cantwell has inherited Szmodics' number eight shirt after his move to Ipswich Town. Whilst they are different styles of players, the new addition knows he has plenty to live up to.

"I watched the Championship from afar, given my history with Norwich I've always had an eye on what they're doing," he explained.

"What Sammie did last season was unbelievable. To score that amount of goals last season is borderline unheard of, especially in a midfield role, not a striker.

"Remove Haaland from the situation, I think he's got a cheat code, to do that as a midfielder, it's an incredible season. I think everyone here was delighted they got the opportunity to have that season with him.

"Players always wanted to move on and he's now playing in the Premier League which from last season, he absolutely deserves. 

"I think we are different players from what I saw, I think I like to be involved a little bit more in the build-up. What he did was brilliant and it's a tough act to follow."