BLACKBURN Rovers are in the hunt for Leicester City striker Martyn Waghorn.

The former England Under-21s international is free to leave Leicester and is understood to be attracting interest from Rovers boss Gary Bowyer.

Bowyer today returns from India where he has been holding talks with Venky’s over the possibility of boosting his squad before the transfer window closes next Friday.

If he gets the go-ahead from Rovers’ owners he is expected to launch a bid for one of the forwards on his shortlist, which is believed to include Waghorn.

Leicester are willing to listen to offers in the region of £450,000 for Waghorn – who they paid a reported £3m for from Sunderland in August 2010.

Waghorn will be a free agent once his contract expires in the summer and as he will be above the age of 23 – he turns 24 tomorrow – the Foxes would not be entitled to compensation.

That means clubs tracking Waghorn instead may attempt to sign him on loan until the end of the season with a view to completing a permanent transfer once his deal with Leicester runs out.

The South Shields-born frontman is being chased a by a host of Championship clubs.

But a move to Rovers could be the most attractive option to Waghorn.

He fits the profile of the player Bowyer is trying to bring to the club – young, British with scope to improve.

Rovers supporters saw at first hand Waghorn’s talents when he scored a fine goal for Millwall at Ewood Park last month.

Waghorn netted three times in 14 matches during his three-month loan stay with the Lions.

He has made two substitute appearances since returning to Leicester.

But the arrival of Kevin Phillips at the King Power Stadium has left Waghorn further down the pecking order.

Bowyer is in the market for a striker after allowing DJ Campbell and Ruben Rochina to leave on loan.

Leon Best, who has been linked with a move to Crystal Palace, is out of favour while David Goodwillie could yet head back out on loan.

Palace are, however, definitely interested in Rovers captain Scott Dann.

But it is understood they would be unwilling to match Dann’s salary or even his price tag should Rovers be tempted to sell their skipper.

Speculation yesterday also linked Rovers with Palace defender Danny Gabbidon and Hull City forward Matty Fryatt.