Wharton enjoying being a 'fan again' as he recovers from injury

Rovers’ strong start has been bitter-sweet for Scott Wharton, who is desperate to be in the thick of the action.

The defender is recovering from a serious knee injury sustained at the back end of last season and still has a long road ahead of him.

Having to watch from the sidelines can be frustrating, but Wharton is staying positive as he approaches the next stage of his rehabilitation.

“I have been cracking on with my work, going through a period of strength with my legs to try and put that muscle back on,” he told Rovers TV.

“It has been tough and quite demanding, but I am definitely seeing progress which is good.

“I am coming to the end of that strength block now and the next step is to hopefully start jogging in two or three weeks.

“It is a massive milestone with this injury. Once I can start getting on the grass and jogging, I think that is a massive tick.

“It is a really positive thing for me and something I should look forward to because it has been tough at times.

“I have had to put the work in but when you get to these milestones, you can see the hard work is paying off.”

It was a challenging summer for the 26-year-old, who was working hard in his recovery while his team-mates were away recharging their batteries.

However, Wharton did get some time to support his younger brother, Adam, at the Euros in Germany - even if he had to drive there.

The Wharton brothers at the Euros in Germany (Image: PA) “The summer was quite tough, being in on my own when all the lads were away on holiday,” he reflected.

“I was able to go to the Euros which was really good for me, I think that picked me up a lot. Since the lads have come back in for pre-season and the start of the season, it has been good.

“There are a few new faces and the lads have started really well, it makes the place better for everyone.

“Even if you are injured, it is a good environment to work in at the moment. The way the lads are performing, it definitely helps me. I am in a good place at the minute.”

While he hasn’t been able to contribute on the pitch, the centre-back has taken a stroll down memory lane to follow the team as a fan again.

“The first game of the season was a bit weird,” he admitted. “You have that buzz and for most seasons, I have been fit for that.

“It felt a bit different watching from the stands. Rather than missing football, which I obviously do, I have sort of gone into that fan mindset – supporting the boys and enjoying watching them.”

Wharton was among the supporters at Turf Moor for the fierce derby against Burnley before the international break.

A local lad, he knows exactly what the fixture means and was pleased to see his team-mates secure a hard-fought point despite going down to 10 men.

“It was a good day out for everyone, I think it is something we needed as a club,” he said.

“Burnley have got the better of us for a number of years now and I know we didn’t win the game, but it felt like a win when we played the last half an hour with 10 men. I won’t mention the referee!

“It was a good result for us and puts us in a good place with the fans, the players. You can see the manager gets it and the boys are right behind him, so it is really positive.

“It has reminded me of when I was younger and going to watch Blackburn every week. It is life and death really!

“Going to the game at 3 o’clock, it means a lot. For them to see the lads putting in the shift they are at the minute, it is really good.”

Wharton got the chance to work under John Eustace during the final months of last season before injury struck.

Eustace has been keeping a close eye on the defender’s recovery and making sure he still feels part of the group.

Eustace has overseen a strong start to the season (Image: CameraSport - Lee Parker)

“The gaffer came in at a really tough period,” Wharton added. “We didn’t have any time on the training ground, we have three games in seven days at first.

“You can see already, having a full pre-season with the gaffer, the ideas and the way he wants to play. The lads have taken to it and had a brilliant start, so let’s keep it going.

“He is always chatting to me and seeing how I am getting on, which is good for me. I think the gaffer has brought everyone together, which is definitely what we needed.”

The 26-year-old has also enjoyed getting to know the new additions to the Rovers squad, although there is some frustration while he cannot play alongside them.

“Yuki (Ohashi) is a nice guy, his English is coming on which is good. Pape (Gueye) as well, even bringing Fadz (Kyle McFadzean) back and Danny Batth, Andi Weimann.

“It is great to have them around, they bring a lot of experience. That is something we definitely needed and you can tell, the character and personalities of these lads, it is a better place.

“This is the best the squad has looked in a while, I am jealous that I am not involved in it because of the competition.

“Just look off the bench now, and soon there will be people missing out from the squads. That is when you know we have got a decent squad.”

Wharton hopes his team-mates can build on their promising start in the Championship and keep getting points on the board.

The Academy graduate isn’t putting a timeframe on his own recovery but is determined to keep making positive progress.

“I am not far from where I should be but it is hard to not rush, take my time and not get ahead of myself,” he explained.

“With normal ACL injuries, you are looking at around nine months but because I have done my ACL, LCL and damaged the back of my knee as well, I am not putting a timeline on it.

“Doing it in the third to last game of last season, realistically, I will not be coming back for two or three games. I am going to see where I get to and make sure I do it right for myself.

“It is so much better that the lads are playing well, everyone is walking in with a smile on their face and looking forward to playing at the weekend. It makes a massive difference to me as well.”