ROVERS are looking to secure a permanent deal for central defender Paul Downing.

The 26-year-old signed on a season-long loan deal in August but Rovers are exploring the possibility of making the move permanent as reward for his performances since arriving at Ewood Park.

Downing is yet to taste defeat in his 18 Rovers appearances and built up a good understanding with skipper Charlie Mulgrew as Darragh Lenihan continues to be sidelined by an ankle injury.

Lenihan is on the comeback trail but Downing's contribution could see his move from the fellow League One side made permanent.

“We’ve had some discussions with MK Dons and Paul and his advisors and I’m pretty sure that we can resolve that pretty quickly,” manager Tony Mowbray revealed.

“I think first and foremost he deserves to, if that’s what he and his advisors want to do and it’s agreeable with MK then I think his performances have been good enough to show that he warrants being able to see this campaign through for us and then the opportunity to see if he can cut the mustard in the next league up if we can get there.

“If we weren’t to get there then he has shown he can cope with League One no problem so we’ve had some discussions and without jumping the gun I think that’s something we can resolve pretty quickly.”

Downing joined MK Dons in 2016 after four years and almost 200 appearances for Walsall.

He made the move to East Lancashire on transfer deadline day as Rovers moved to find a replacement for Lenihan who hasn't played since the opening day defeat at Southend United.

Following Rekeem Harper being recalled by West Brom, Downing is one of just three loan players at Rovers alongside Harry Chapman and Marcus Antonsson, both of who are currently injured.

And Mowbray is targeting permanent additions in this window, with Downing out of contract at Stadium: MK this summer.

He added: “For me I want to build this club bit by bit with players that are going to be here for the long-term, at the right age and a base from which the club can build from.

“I would like to think we have started that process with the Samuels and the Dacks and some talent that hopefully that can hopefully be here for the next three or four years and help the club get back where it wants to be.”