BLACKBURN Rovers boss Coyle admits that RC Lens defender Abdoul Ba is one of the targets he is trying to get over the line on transfer deadline day.

Ba has been heavily linked with a move to Rovers for some time, and Coyle remains an admirer of the 22-year-old central defender.

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Rovers are yet to add to their defensive ranks in this window, having brought in two attackers, Lucas Joao and Marvin Emnes, as their only January additions so far.

But Coyle is targeting defensive signings before the 11pm deadline, with the 14-times capped Mauritian international among the targets.

"He is one that I would like to bring in to the club, I have made no secret of that,” Coyle said this morning

"He's 6'7", a left-sided centre half, quick, and at 22 has the scope to get better.

"I have targeted players that I think will help us.

"It will come down to an agreement between the two clubs, and the finances involved, and that's where we're at with it."

Ba is understood to be keen on a move to Ewood Park, and although Championship rivals Nottingham Forest have been linked with the defender in recent days, Rovers are thought to be in pole position should the move be sanctioned by the club's hierachy.

Should a move go through before the 11pm deadline, he would add competiton to Rovers’ defensive options.

They could be further strengthened in the coming weeks by the return to East Lancashire of Watford loanee Tommie Hoban.

The central defender has missed the last three months with a dislocated shoulder, but met with a surgeon yesterday who revealed that the shoulder was now functioning as it should.

That could see Hoban return to Rovers to step up his rehabilitation and a possible return to action before the end of next month.