Four loan players have returned to their parent clubs at the end of their Rovers spells. But just what does the future hold for the quartet? Rovers reporter Rich Sharpe takes a look.

MARCUS ANTONSSON

The Swedish attacker joined Rovers two games into the season on a season-long loan deal from Leeds United where he had been frozen out.

Signed for £2m by the Whites in the summer of 2016 after a prolific time with Kalmar in his homeland, Antonsson had struggled to adapt to the English game – starting just six league games and scoring once.

There was huge relief on his face when he netted his first goal in Rovers colours at Rochdale in September, going on to score the winner at Scunthorpe three days later and net again in the win over Rotherham.

A switch to a wide striker role in November proved a masterstroke as he scored five times in as many games to walk away with the PFA League One player of the month.

But an ankle injury in December came at just the wrong time. He failed to find the net after his return to fitness in March and his sharpness looked to have deserted him.

In all, he made 34 appearances for Rovers, 24 as a starter.

The 27-year-old has a year to run on his three-year deal at Elland Road but his chances of first team football appear slim.

There was a clause in his loan deal which meant Rovers could make the move permanent for a seven figure fee, but that never looked likely.

Antonsson clearly enjoyed his time in East Lancashire and his contribution shouldn’t be overlooked, but Rovers may well look for a more natural option in the wide areas.

ADAM ARMSTRONG

His arrival in January proved vital in Rovers’ promotion bid, with his nine goals adding some extra firepower to their attack in the second half of the season.

Armstrong linked up with Tony Mowbray once again, having hit 20 goals for Coventry under him during a loan spell in 2015-16, and had been a target for Rovers in the summer of 2017 before joining Bolton.

His deal at Newcastle still has two years to run, and with a salary level above that of what Rovers will likely pay for players next season, as well as the transfer fee that would be required, there may well need to be a compromise to facilitate a permanent deal. 

But the Magpies are willing to listen to offers for Armstrong and he will be keen to continue the development which has earned him an England Under-21 call-up.

With Rovers short in attacking areas, another loan enquiry could be the way forward but if a fee could be agreed then a permanent deal remains a possibility.

HARRY CHAPMAN

Aafter much confusion, it was announced by Middlesbrough earlier this year that Academy graduate Harry Chapman still has a year to run on his Riverside deal.

Chapman played just 16 times for Rovers, and just once as a starter in the league, but he made a lasting impression on the fanbase who are desperate to see him pull on the blue and white halves again.

The flying winger has won promotion from League One in three consecutive seasons with Rovers, Sheffield United and Barnsley. So a Championship test would be the next step for the England youth international. He is currently undergoing rehabilitation following a second hamstring injury of the season but is expected to return in time for pre-season.

Boro boss Tony Pulis is likely to cast his eye over the 21-year-old before any decision on his future is taken.

But were he allowed to leave the Riverside, whether it be on loan or on a permanent basis, then Rovers would certainly be interested.

As boss Tony Mowbray said: “We will keep in touch with that football club, with his advisors and with the lad and see what next year brings.

“Middlesbrough might see him as a player for them, if not then he would potentially be an option for us.”

JACK PAYNE

The 23-year-old joined Rovers in January after an impressive first half of the season on loan at League One rivals Oxford United, during which time he scored against Rovers at the Kassam Stadium.

He had to be patient for his opportunity in East Lancashire and started just seven times, with his better appearances coming off the bench, a point referenced by Mowbray. Indeed the Rovers boss went a step further by saying he didn’t believe the talented left-footer was ‘a 90 minute player’.

Payne was signed by Huddersfield in 2016, but the Terriers are very much a different club now after securing Premier League status for another season.

The former Southend United man has a year left on his current deal and talks are planned over his future which could well be away from the John Smith’s Stadium given the rate of progress the Terriers have made under manager David Wagner.

Payne played his part in their promotion from the Championship and, after a season in League One, a return to the second tier could be on the cards for the talented midfielder.

He would fit the profile of player that Mowbray is looking to recruit, although how Payne would view playing second fiddle to Bradley Dack remains to be seen.

However, his glowing comments about his time at Ewood Park suggests that he would be interested in a return and, with just a year left to run on his current deal, the chances of him leaving Huddersfield permanently this summer are strong.