Danny Simpson says his spell at Blackburn helped shape his career – but the QPR defender is out to heap more misery on Rovers this afternoon.

Simpson spent a season on loan at Ewood Park from Manchester United back in 2008, making 20 appearances for the Lancashire club.

The 26-year-old was a regular under Paul Ince but fell out of favour after the manager was sacked, with Sam Allardyce replacing him in the hotseat.

However, Simpson reckons his time at the club was a big learning curve as he tried to make a name for himself.

Speaking ahead of the clash with Blackburn later today, he said: “I went there under Paul Ince. I was there for two weeks, got in the team and played every game.

Experience: Simpson says his time at Ewood Park was a massive learning curve

“For me, it was my first spell playing in the Premier League, so I was still trying to come to terms with that, the pace of it and how important it is.

“It was enjoyable, I was learning even though the results weren’t going that well. Then he got sacked, Sam Allardyce came in, and I knew pretty much straight away that I wasn’t going to play.

“I got a few cup games, but it was frustrating going from playing every week playing in the Premier League to that.

“I learned for the first time what it was like to be sat in the stand. I learned a lot, good and bad.”