Joe Rankin-Costello signs from Blackburn

An injury or suspension in a number of positions, and he'd be asked to fill it.

If I had a pound for how many times in the last 25 years that a player would tell me, "I'll play wherever the manager wants me to play," I'd be a very wealthy man. It's the stock answer, really, for any player to give; only occasionally will someone with a strong personality tell you how they really feel.

It's only natural that at 25 years of age the lure of a new challenge has led him to join Charlton Athletic, and where he plays for them will interest a lot of people who follow Rovers.

An academy graduate, Rankin-Costello can play central midfield, as a number ten, or wide in a front three on either side – not to mention at right-back where he undoubtedly produced his best form under Jon Dahl Tomasson.

He started the 2023-24 season as first choice at right-back after a sparkling second half to the previous campaign. And, although squad numbers barely resemble playing positions these days, a player wearing 11 at right-back tells you all you need to know. 

Standout displays at Huddersfield Town and QPR showed him at his very best - comfortable in possession, spending 70% of the match in the opposition half rather than as an orthodox right-back - it was the position for him in a Tomasson system that brought the best out of him.

Yes, there were injuries that hampered his progress, and the emergence of Callum Brittain as one of the championship's best right-backs has meant that he's really only been a deputy under John Eustace and Valerien Ismael. He started last season wide on the right after finishing the previous campaign as a holding midfielder.

But when does versatility cost a player? It does when he isn't first choice in any position. Then when a chance comes due to the absence of someone else, a high-level performance is expected.

Given his age, he should have more than 132 senior appearances across all competitions. His talent should dictate that. He'll not have too many issues settling in with Thomas Kaminski and Amari'i Bell (new arrivals at The Valley), both being former Rovers team-mates.

On paper, the deal looks a good one for all parties. Rovers get cash for someone surplus to requirements; Charlton get a player with well over 100 championship appearances; and the player himself will get a change of scenery and a brand new challenge to kick-start a career that badly needs it." 

I've got a good feeling about this one