CHRIS Sutton believes Blackburn Rovers boss Gary Bowyer is helping restore the club’s identity.

But the former Ewood Park favourite feels it is asking too much for Bowyer to lead Rovers to automatic promotion this season.

Sutton left the club 15 years ago after playing a key role in its glorious return to the summit of English football in 1995.

But Rovers remain close to the Premiership title-winning hero’s heart and he was left saddened by their ignominious descent into the Championship.

Sutton is hopeful, though, that things are on the up at his old stamping ground.

And for that he gives credit to Bowyer and his coaching staff.

However he feels it is unrealistic for them to transform Rovers into a top-two team in the space of two years.

Sutton said: “I love the club and I have to say it lost its way for a period.

“But I do think under Gary Bowyer, and with people like Craig Short alongside him, they are getting their identity back.

“Blackburn for me was always a traditional club.

“The people who ran the club, like Jack Walker and Robert Coar, were Blackburn through and through, and it had a really nice feel about the place.

“So I feel sad at what’s happened since those days but hopefully things are on the up now.”

Bowyer was installed into the Rovers hotseat on a full-time basis in May 2013 after steering the club to safety and away from a disastrous second successive relegation.

In his first full season in charge the former caretaker manager led the club to eighth place and within two points of the play-offs.

The challenge now facing Bowyer and his players is to improve on that finish.

Sutton reckons Rovers can make the top six providing prolific strikers Jordan Rhodes and Rudy Gestede stay fit and providing they continue to receive the right service.

But given the greater spending power and squad depth enjoyed by some of their rivals, and in particular another of his former clubs in Norwich City, the 41-year-old thinks a play-off place will be as good as it gets for Bowyer’s boys.

“When you look at Norwich and the ability to do what they can do in the transfer market, it’s just unbelievable,” said Sutton, who scored 59 goals in 161 appearances for Rovers, including 21 in all competitions in their famous 1994-95 season, following his £5m move from the Canaries.

“In my opinion Norwich should win the league by 10 points. They have bought the likes of Cameron Jerome and Carlos Cuellar and they have by far and away the strongest squad – it’s just endless.

“Blackburn look bare-boned in comparison as they don’t have a big squad.

“And, through no fault of the manager, I don’t feel it’s a squad strong enough for automatic promotion.

“I say no fault of the manager as if you look at the players Gary Bowyer has paid money for, you really have to commend him. Getting Rudy Gestede and Craig Conway for just £300,000, for example, is just incredible business.

“So it’s going to be tough for them but I think play-off wise they will have a chance if they can keep Rhodes and Gestede fit.

“If they do that then they have to play to their strengths – and not apologise for that.

“Rudy Gestede can dominate anybody in that league, so they have to get balls in the box for him from the right areas, and Jordan Rhodes will get you goals, so they need to create chances for him.

“I also think David Dunn will come into the equation the longer the season goes on.

“He’s still a player I have a lot of admiration for. He’s clever and he’s a match winner.”