DOUBTS remain over the future of Ruben Rochina as the Spanish striker gets set to return to Blackburn Rovers tomorrow.

Rayo Vallecano had the chance to sign the 23-year-old after he helped them stage a remarkable climb to survival in La Liga during a successful loan spell last season.

But they failed to come back in with a bid before the deadline agreed with Rovers.

It is understood that Vallecano, along with other Spanish clubs, have enquired about Rochina since then.

And there were reports emerging from Spain last night that Granada are considering making a move for the former Valencia and Barcelona youngster.

MORE TOP STORIES:

But while his future at Rovers remains uncertain there have been no offers for his services.

And until there is a firm proposal on the table, and unless Rochina makes it clear he wants to leave, he will be considered for selection by Gary Bowyer.

Rovers boss Bowyer, who will welcome Rochina back to pre-season training tomorrow, said: “Ruben is still contracted to Blackburn Rovers and he is due in on Saturday.

“He’s had one or two things to tidy up back in Spain so we allowed him extra time to do that.

“We’ve got to plan with him and all the contracted players and until somebody tells me otherwise we will continue working with them here.”

Rochina, who has one year remaining on the Rovers contract he signed after joining from Barcelona B in January 2011, began last season in Bowyer’s starting line-up.

But he spent three months on the sidelines after dislocating his shoulder in the opening day 1-1 draw at Derby County and he failed to regain his place after battling back to full fitness.

Rochina started just one match – the 3-2 home defeat to Birmingham City – and came off the bench in three others before making the loan move to Vallecano in January.

He scored three goals in 17 games as the Madrid-based outfit rose to 12th in the final La Liga standings having been second from bottom on his arrival.

Rovers, meanwhile, are not in the running for out-of-contract Crewe Alexandra striker Max Clayton.

The England U19 international striker is set to turn down an offer of a three-year deal with the League One outfit – who would be entitled to compensation – after he failed to return for pre-season training.

But Clayton will not be heading to Ewood Park.

One player who has signed for Rovers, however, is teenage Bristol Rovers striker Ollie Mehew.

Mehew had been interesting Everton, Tottenham Hotspur, Norwich City, Fulham and Reading.

But he has decided to make the move to Rovers and he will go straight into David Lowe's U18 squad.

Meanwhile, League One outfit Gillingham have signed Republic of Ireland U21 international defender John Egan following his release from Sunderland.

The 21-year-old had been linked with a move to Rovers.