Blackburn Rovers return for pre-season training today looking to steal a march on their Premier League rivals and knowing to repeat last season’s top 10 finish is going to be a tough challenge.

It will be the same old faces reporting for duty at Brockhall this morning, with no ins or outs during the summer transfer window so far, and manager Sam Allardyce will be delighted at being able to keep his squad together.

Some fans will be concerned at the transfer inactivity around Ewood Park, especially with regard the forward positions, but the moves Rovers have made this summer cannot be underestimated.

Securing Morten Gamst Pedersen’s future was vital, while getting their young guns Martin Olsson and Phil Jones to sign extended deals was also rightly a priority.

Of course it would be nice to see a proven goalscorer added to Allardyce’s ranks before the summer is up, crucial in fact, but the importance of a settled squad shouldn’t be ignored either.

A lot of teams will be starting the season with a collection of foreign imports who have to adjust to the pace and tempo of the Premier League.

Not an easy task.

Rovers on the other hand will have a squad of players used to performing in the Premier League and, after finishing in the top 10 last season, why can’t the same group of players do the same again?

Perhaps the biggest challenge facing Allardyce this season is picking a starting XI.

While the majority of teams have a collection of stars who are immediate starters, Rovers’ squad is made up of a group of players all much of a muchness. Their strength could also be their weakness.

You could easily field two sides both capable of holding their own in the Premier League next season from Allardyce’s squad and, if you look at a potential ‘young gun’ team, the future looks bright.

Nikola Kalinic, Martin Olsson, Amine Linganzi, Steven Nzonzi, Junior Hoilett, Phil Jones, Frank Fielding, Jackson Ramm and Grant Hanley all have their best years ahead of them.

Premier League, you have been warned.

GOALKEEPERS

FABIO Capello may not have realised it, but Blackburn Rovers can lay claim to having one of the best English goalkeepers as their first choice between the posts.

Paul Robinson will be glad to have the shadows of South Africa 2010 well and truly behind him as he prepares for the new season with the will he/won’t he debate surrounding his World Cup hopes now a thing of the past.

How Robbo was ignored for South Africa remains a mystery but a summer of rest and relaxation can only help Rovers hopes of getting the best out of him next season.

Robbo hasn’t let anyone down over the last couple of seasons and don’t be surprised to see him earning an England recall one day soon.

The biggest headache the club faces is who is going to be their number two. Mark Bunn, Jason Brown and Frank Fielding will all believe they can stake a claim - but whoever gets ignored will surely be looking for a fresh start.

FULL-BACKS

Michel Salgado and Gael Givet will feel they are players in possession of the shirts, but Pascal Chimbonda, Lars Jacobsen and even Martin Olsson are more than capable deputies.

Brett Emerton’s versatility could even see him return to right back, while youth team player Jackson Ramm has shown signs he could soon challenge for a first team place.

If you work on the criteria of two players for every position, Rovers have more than adequate cover on the defensive flanks.

CENTRE-BACKS

Sam Allardyce faces a real selection dilemma in the heart of his defence, with Chris Samba, Ryan Nelsen, Gael Givet and Phil Jones all fighting for the two positions.

Rarely can Rovers have enjoyed such strength in depth in this key area of the team, especially with young Scot Grant Hanley showing signs at the end of last season that he could soon be challenging for a first team spot.

Moving Givet to left back will ease the competition a bit, with the Frenchman just as solid on the flank, but youngster Jones may have to wait a bit longer before he can dislodge Nelsen and Samba – both key players over a number of seasons.

CENTRAL MIDFIELD

French Under 21 international Steven Nzonzi showed in his debut Premier League season he could be a key figure for years to come.

He will start the campaign as the club’s first choice holding midfield player but, with Vince Grella looking to stay fit this time round, his spot is far from guaranteed.

Keith Andrews and Brett Emerton also provide reliable options in the heart of the midfield, while youngster Amine Linganzi could yet be the surprise performer in the next couple of months.

One of the major criticisms of Allardyce’s current squad is a lack of creativity going forward but, with David Dunn and Morten Gamst Pedersen in the ranks, there is real quality there.

A lot could depend on Dunn’s fitness, while Pedersen will hope he can continue to refind the form he has shown at Ewood Park in the past.

WINGERS

Allardyce will be expected to continue with the system that served him so well last season, with Martin Olsson again set for a key role down Rovers’ left.

His pace, energy and eye for goal saw him pushed further forward and Allardyce will be hoping fellow Junior Hoilett can show similar form on the opposite flank.

El-Hadji Diouf will also strongly be pushing for a starting slot, with Emerton another contender for the right wing slot, although Rovers could be targetting a striker with the ability to play out wide as well.

STRIKERS

Obviously another striker is still a priority this summer, although with Jason Roberts and Nikola Kalinic you have two strikers already capable of having an impact.

Having spent £6million on Kalinic last summer, Rovers will have big plans for the Croatian while Roberts isn’t about to accept a place on the substitutes bench without a fight.

If Sam continues to play with one lone striker, Roberts and Kalinic should be enough but there is no way the club could risk going into a new season with just two front line strikers.

Maybe Maceo Rigters will get one final chance to fulfill his potential, although the Dutchman is unlikely to be the answer.