Blackburn boss Tony Mowbray wants to add further quality to his squad following the arrival of Peter Whittingham on a free transfer from Cardiff earlier this week.

Rovers are preparing for life in the third tier of English football for the first time since 1980 following relegation last season and experienced midfielder Whittingham is their first new recruit of the summer.

Mowbray is hoping the 32-year-old is one of many new players to arrive at Ewood Park ahead of the new campaign although he is prioritising quality over quantity in the transfer market.

“We’re pleased to have got Peter over the line and hopefully for him we can add some more as we move forward,” Mowbray said. “As I’ve said to Peter, we need to try and add more quality players so that he feels that he’s coming to a club that has existing high quality players as well, but one that wants to keep adding and keep moving on.”

Mowbray is determined to assemble a squad capable of making an instant return to the Championship next season. He added: “If we can add some more quality footballers along the way, it should give us a confidence that we’re trying to build a team that is and does have an ambition to bounce straight back.”

Blackburn are priced at 7.00 to emerge as League One champions come the end of the 2017-18 season. Wigan, who are available at 9.00, and Portsmouth, who are on offer at 9.50, are expected to be the Blue and Whites’ main rivals.