BLACKBURN Rovers are preparing to offer fresh terms to Ben Marshall and Shane Duffy in an effort to keep the star duo beyond their current contracts.

Midfielder Marshall and defender Duffy have less than 12 months remaining on the deals they penned after signing from Leicester City and Everton respectively.

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Rovers boss Owen Coyle has told both players, who have stated their happiness at the club, that he wants them to stay at Ewood Park for the long haul.

He has stressed to the club’s India-based owners Venky’s of the importance to attempt to tie Marshall and Duffy down to new contracts in the face of interest from rival Championship clubs.

And, two days before Rovers kick-off their campaign at home to Norwich City, Venky’s are readying formal offers for the key pair.

Coyle, who is attempting to bolster his squad before the Canaries clash, said: “I’ve recommended to the owners that we try and keep these boys.

“I’ve been really impressed by Shane Duffy’s and Ben Marshall’s attitude and ability since I came to the club and they are boys I want to keep long term.

“I’ve recommended to the owners that they try and keep them here for the long haul and it’s fair to say wheels are in motion to try and get contracts to the players.”

Marshall has scored 14 goals in 115 appearances following his move from Leicester in the summer of 2013.

He finished second behind now departed captain Grant Hanley in last season’s player of the year poll after starring on the wing and out of position at right-back.

The 24-year-old admits he expected to have been offered a contract by now following his performances for Rovers.

But Marshall, who has been in fine form in pre-season, has told Coyle he would like to stay and get his future sorted.

He said: “I’ve said to the manager I’d like to stay but it’s just disappointing as I thought there might have been a contract sooner because after last year I thought I did well, and especially going into the last year of my contract.

“But hopefully it will get solved and they’ll put a contract on the table me.”

For now Marshall’s focus is solely on helping Rovers get their season off to a winning start in Saturday’s Championship opener against Norwich who are being tipped to make an immediate return to the Premier League.

The former England Under-21 international, who scored in the last two friendlies of the summer, said: “It’s been a brilliant pre-season.

“We’ve had some good results and Saturday, against Girona, was a good test, and I thought we adapted well and we were unlucky not to win.

“Pre-season for me is just about getting fit and if you score a few goals it’s good for the confidence, but it really matters on Saturday and hopefully I can take the fitness I’ve built up and hopefully I’ll get a goal and we’ll win the game.

“Getting three points at the start is the main thing but to do it against a side that has just come down, it’s a good incentive to kick on.

“Hopefully we can give it all our all and try and get the three points.”