Blackburn: Jason Lowe wants Gary Bowyer to be next manager

Midfielder Jason Lowe has backed Gary Bowyer to become Blackburn's next boss.

Bowyer took caretaker charge following Michael Appleton's dismissal in March and steered Rovers to Championship safety in the final week of the season.

Lowe told BBC Radio Lancashire: "He's come in during difficult circumstances of late, which we all know about.

"He's handled himself, the team, the club and all the pressure around it very well. It's up to the board, but I'd be delighted if he got it."

Under reserve-team manager Bowyer, Blackburn took 12 points from their last nine games to finish 17th in the table, four points above the relegation zone.

Lowe has been named in the England Under-21 squad for this summer's European Championships

It was the second time that the 41-year-old had been in temporary control of first-team affairs, having won three and drawn one of his four-match reign following the departure of Henning Berg in December.

Lowe, who will be part of Stuart Pearce's England Under-21 squad for the European Championships later this summer, continued: "Gary's done a fantastic job, and if he got the job I'm sure it would be the right appointment.

"I'd be delighted for him and the club because he's been here a long time and he knows what it's about. He knows what the club needs and he epitomises what this club has been about in the last few years."