Cobblers loan target Wharton determined to make first team breakthrough at Blackburn Rovers

The 22-year-old enjoyed an outstanding season on loan at the Cobblers last season, making 43 appearances as Town claimed promotion from Sky Bet League Two, via the play-offs.

Keith Curle has gone on record to say he has already asked his parent club Blackburn about the possibility of Wharton returning to the PTS Academy Stadium on loan ahead of the new league one season, which will start on September 12.

The stint at the Cobblers was Wharton's fourth on loan at league two clubs over the course of three seasons, and saw him play a part in a third straight promotion after spells in the 2018/19 season at Lincoln City and Bury.

And the player now feels it is time he made his mark at his parent club having come through the youth ranks at Ewood Park and signed a first professional contract in 2016.

“The Championship is a lot higher standard than league two and it is completely different football,” Wharton told lancashiretelegraph.co.uk.

“League two is more in the air and very physical, but in the Championship, there is a lot more quality and I will really have to step up my game.

“I think I have come to that age where I am not a little boy anymore, I am a man of 22.

“I need to get on with my career, be the best I can be and play at the highest level I can play at, and I think now is the time to really give it a good go.”

Wharton has spoken with Blackburn boss Tony Mowbray about his future, and the pair have both agreed that pushing for a place in the Rovers set-up is the priority.

Wharton is contracted at Ewood until the summer of 2022, but hasn't played for the first team since a 3-3 FA Cup draw against Crewe Alexandra in December, 2017 - his third, and as it stands, final appearance under Mowbray.

The Rovers boss agrees with Wharton that it is time he made the step up, but still has concerns over the player's physicality, and in particular his upper body strength.

Mowbray, who was a central defender as a player, has hinted that if that doesn't improve, then the player could again find himself out on loan.

“There are a lot of clubs that would be interested in taking Scott Wharton with his promotion credentials," said Mowbray.

“And yet, with respect to clubs in league two it isn’t the Championship, but he’s another young guy who’s doing very well in his career and we have to try and make the right decision for his career and for the football club.

“Let’s wait and see. Every year I’ve been here Scott has come back in pre-season and I’ve just felt he’s had to develop his upper body and become stronger for this league.

“It’s very much at the forefront of our minds about the central defensive position and there has to be competition. Let’s see what the competition is between the players we’ve got.”