Dion Sanderson knows exactly what John Eustace demands from his players and is excited to work with the Rovers boss again.

Sanderson worked under Eustace at Birmingham, initially on loan from Wolves before making the move permanent in the summer of 2023.

The 25-year-old says it was a no-brainer to reunite with his former boss once he was informed of Rovers’ interest.

“I have had my first session and settled in really well. The boys are really caring and look out for each other,” he said.

“Obviously, the manager and his staff I have known for quite a while now so it is nothing I’m not used to.

“It all happened quite quickly. I had come back from training and looked at my phone, there was a message from my agent saying Blackburn were interested.

“Straight away I was like, ‘Get me down there’. I had made up my mind, I didn’t have to think about anything.

“The gaffer called me the day after and we had a conversation about how things are around the club, the players, the ambition and what he wants to achieve this season. I was ready, I was buzzing with the interest and happy to get it over the line.”

Sanderson had nothing but positive things to say about his first spell under Eustace and sees similarities in the togetherness the head coach has instilled at Ewood Park.

“I have got nothing but good memories under him,” he continued. “The time he had at Blues, we had a strong half season and he built that connection with the players.

“Even lads who weren’t playing, he made them feel involved and we were all one, all together.

“It was us versus everyone and we loved it as players. I am glad to see him doing well here and glad to be here to help.”

Eustace’s sacking at St Andrew’s came as a shock to the footballing world, with the side sitting sixth in the Championship table.

When asked how the players had felt, the defender replied: “It was (a shock), quite upsetting as well for some of the players around the building.

“But it is football and just another day, I guess, in this business. I am glad to be reunited with him.

“He is a great person, first of all, and tactically I think he is great as well. He works with the team really well, works with what he has got, and I think the players he has got in now are brilliant.

Sanderson was relegated with the Blues last term (Image: PA) “You can obviously tell by the results they have picked up and the position. Of course, you want to be fighting for the play-off spots and I honestly believe we can do that.”

Sanderson arrives in East Lancashire with Rovers sitting just outside the play-off places despite being written off by many before a ball had been kicked.

When asked if Eustace has what it takes to reach the top of the game, the 25-year-old insisted: “Most definitely, he is ambitious and dedicated to his job.

“Even things like tackles and winning duels, he will go mental about it. He will hammer down the basics and there are no cutting corners, that is how it should be.

“It is a tough job and you have to work hard every day, but the outcome is what we look forward to and you can only get that by doing the basics right.”

Eustace also thought highly of Sanderson at Birmingham, handing the defender the captain’s armband above more senior players in the squad.

“I wasn’t really aware that he was going to do it,” the new signing recalled. “When he told me, it was quite an emotional time for me. I told my family and they couldn’t believe it either.

“We had quite a few senior players in the group and he spoke to them before, and they respected the decision. I have great memories with him.”

It was a tough season for the Blues after Eustace’s departure. Initially, Wayne Rooney took on the role but was sacked after just 15 games in charge.

Then, Tony Mowbray was appointed but had to step away from the role less than a couple of months later due to health reasons.

Gary Rowett took interim charge for the latter stages of the season but couldn’t prevent relegation on the final day.

“Emotionally, mentally, it was very tough,” Sanderson admitted. “We had quite a lot of players who were out of contract so you can imagine, at the time, trying to motivate them to keep such a big club up.

“It was hard but I think I learnt a lot in that six-month period. I think I have grown up as a person and matured quite a lot.

“It was a shame but it’s football and how you bounce back as a person and as a player. I have still got ambition and am hungry to learn. I am glad to be here.”