Mowbray expects to face Hurst’s ‘dynamic and energetic’ Ipswich on opening day

Ipswich Town's players will look to impress new boss Paul Hurst on the first day of pre-season training today. Photo: Steve Waller (Image: � Copyright Stephen Waller)

Mowbray will bring his Rovers side to Portman Road on August 4 to open the Championship campaign, having successfully battled for promotion from League One against new Blues boss Paul Hurst’s Shrewsbury side last season.

The former Ipswich defender was linked with the Portman Road job early in Marcus Evans’ recruitment process, but is now fully focussed on a return to the Championship with Blackburn.

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“We’re away to Ipswich for the first game and it’s a team with a new manager who will have had an impact on his team and will be aiming to get off to a good start,” Mowbray said.

“We saw from Paul’s Shrewsbury team how dynamic and energetic they were. They are all tough games in the Championship though.

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