Paul Gallagher hopes that, finally, his chance at Blackburn Rovers has arrived.

The 24-year-old has been contracted to the Ewood Park club since 2002, but he has had loans at Stoke City (twice), Preston North End and Plymouth Argyle during this time.

Gallagher admits he thought he would be leaving Rovers on a permanent basis this summer, but the exits of Roque Santa Cruz and Matt Derbyshire could offer him a lifeline.

“It has come as a big surprise that I am still here this summer," Gallagher told the Lancashire Telegraph. "When I was at Plymouth Argyle I never spoke to Sam Allardyce.

“I didn’t know what he thought of me and then the next thing I saw was on Sky Sports saying the club would listen to offers for me. I thought that was it.

“I really believed I was going to have to move. Things happen in football though. Suddenly a couple of strikers have left and I have the chance to show what I can do in pre-season.

"If I can score a few goals, and show the manager what I am capable of, then hopefully I have a long future at Blackburn Rovers after all.”