Blackburn boss Paul Ince is confident that veteran playmaker Tugay can play a major part both on and off the pitch at Ewood Park this season.The Turk will turn 38 later this month and will be the Premier League's second oldest outfield player behind Dean Windass of Hull.

Tugay struggled to hold down a regular starting spot towards the end of last term but penned a new one-year deal in June.

And Ince is confident he will still be able to have an influence both as a midfielder and an experienced professional passing on his knowledge to younger players.

"Tugay can definitely play a part for us - not just on the field, but off the field," Ince told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph.

"The lads look up to him and it's important that, even if he's not playing, he's making sure things are right in the dressing room and stuff like that.

"But when he does comes on, his variety of passing is different class and I'm pleased I've got him for another year."

Ince, who is less than three years older than Tugay, admits that he will have to be careful about how often he utilises the playmaker.

"It all depends on what formation you want to play," he explained.

"There are certain formations where I could have Tugay sitting in midfield.

"It's horses for courses. It depends on what teams we are playing against.

"But the lad has definitely got quality, that's for sure, and it's certainly something we can use throughout the season."