Ben Gladwin considered retiring during his two-year injury nightmare but thanked Rovers for their role in getting him in to a position to be playing again.

Gladwin has played three times for new club MK Dons since signing a deal following his release from Rovers.

Tony Mowbray sanctioned a deal that would allow Gladwin, out of contract at Ewood Park last summer, to continue his rehabilitation at the club, rather than let him leave while still injured.

The 27-year-old went almost 800 days between competitive appearances, from November 7 2017 in a Checkatrade Trophy game at Rochdale to coming off the bench for MK Dons against Coventry City on January 4.

That absence included three separate operations, during which time the attacking midfielder admits he considered ‘chucking it in’ given the number of setbacks he suffered.

It will take Gladwin time to get match fit, playing 80 minutes across his three substitute outings, having played twice for Rovers Under-23s before leaving at the end of 2019.

But happy to be back playing, he told the MK Citizen: "You have good days, and a lot more bad days I guess.

You do think about chucking it in, especially when I got the last setback, and being told I needed another operation.

“It goes through your head. But when it's something you love doing so much, and you cannot imagine not doing it, you give everything to get back.

"It has been a while, and there were a few setbacks along the way. I think it was 790 days between games, but it was good just bring out there and trying to find my feet again and doing what I love every day.

"I've got to thank everyone at Blackburn – the medical team was amazing. I've come here and everyone has been great as well. I'm glad I'm in the position I'm in now, so I hope I can kick on and get going.

"At Coventry I was a bit tired... after 30 seconds! It is coming. I'm obviously not at the level I want to be at. There is a lot to come, but after two years out I think it will take a little while but I'm enjoying just being out on the pitch, trying to contribute and get back to where I was.”