Blackburn Rovers hope to sort Hoilett's future in next two weeks

11:20am Tuesday 10th November 2009

By Gary York

BLACKBURN Rovers are hoping Junior Hoilett’s future will be sorted within the next fortnight as they sweat over his contract decision.

Rovers fear they could lose the battle to secure the long-term services of the Canadian winger, with a number of German clubs wanting to tempt him away from Ewood Park.

The club have made a significant contract offer to the 19-year-old but, while they await an official decision, the winger looks increasingly likely to move on in the summer.

Rovers boss Sam Allardyce has made attempts to convince Hoilett’s parents he has a future at Ewood, even making an impromptu visit to their home in Canada, but with his current deal out this summer, the club are starting to fear the worst.

After considerable time and money spent on ensuring Hoilett gets the chance to stake a claim for a first team place at Ewood, eventually getting his work permit on an appeal last summer, Rovers will be keen to tie the highly-gifted teenager down on a long-term deal.

But if he refuses the offer, they risk Hoilett leaving Ewood for next to nothing on a Bosman transfer.

The North American would be free to speak to other clubs on January 1 and sign a pre-contract agreement, although Rovers would be given some compensation due to the player being under the age of 23.

However, Allardyce wants to avoid the situation where he loses one of the best prospects to have come through the club’s academy since David Dunn and Damien Duff.

The Blackburn manager has been impressed with the teenager’s performances this season, most notably in the club’s Carling Cup campaign.

Hoilett opened his Rovers account in the 3-1 victory at Gillingham, played the full 90 minutes in ties against Nottingham Forest and Peterborough, and has come on as a sub in five Premier League matches.

The youngster has previously stated his desire to become a success in England with Rovers, but he could be persuaded by a move back to Germany, where he spent two seasons on loan due to work permit issues.

He scored six goals in 27 appearances for German second division outfit St Pauli last term after a previous year-long stint at Paderborn, while his younger brother Jaineil is a youth team player at Bundesliga outfit Mainz.

While he decides the next step of his club career, Hoilett is also mulling over his international allegiances after turning down an invitation to join up with Canada’s squad for their forthcoming friendlies against Macedonia and Poland.

The winger - who is also eligible for Jamaica - is yet to make his senior international debut and turned down the invitation from Canada coach Stephen Hart to ‘sort out his club status’.