TONY Mowbray is relaxed about his plans to bring Harry Chapman to Rovers on a permanent deal having seen an approach for the winger knocked back by Middlesbrough in the January transfer window.

Rovers are keen to sign Chapman with the 20-year-old out of contract in the summer, and are set to revisit a deal in the summer.

The winger, on loan at Rovers until May, has been out since October having undergone surgery on a hamstring strain.

Mowbray revealed he did try to sign Chapman in the winter window, but said the situation was complicated by Boro appointing Tony Pulis as manager in December to replace Garry Monk.

“I’m relaxed about it,” Mowbray said of his Chapman pursuit. “I had a conversation with Mr (Neil) Bauser, Chief Executive at Middlesbrough, and with (Chapman’s) agent.

“He’s not my player so I have to be careful about what I say, but I think Tony wants to have a look at him.

“I can understand that, he’s not really seen the boy, he’s injured and he’d like to see him himself.

“If he gets fit to play for us then he will get some reports and they will be able to watch videos. I think that was the case.

“Would we like to sign Harry? I would say so to add another string to our bow and him know where his future is going to be.

“At the moment he’s injured, on loan, the summer will come and we’ll just keep an eye on him.

“We asked the question and Middlesbrough gave us the answer that at this moment they’re happy for him to stay on loan here and then they will assess in the summer what the next step is.”

If Middlesbrough were to offer Chapman a new contract then Rovers would need to agree a fee to sign him, or see any cost determined by a tribunal should the wideman choose not to extend his stay at Teesside.

If Chapman, whose immediate focus is on getting fit rather than sorting his future, is released then Rovers would be near the front of the queue to sign him as a free agent.

Of a potential return date for the loanee Mowbray said: “They are telling me another five weeks before he can get back on the grass. “That would be around mid-March.

“You don’t get out on the grass and play the next week you build up your fitness, join in with training, get yourself an Under-23s game so we’ll wait and see.”

Chapman was back at Ewood Park to watch from the stands as Rovers moved back into the top two of League One with a win over Walsall.

And Mowbray admits his presence gave the players a lift prior to kick-off.

He added: “It was great to see him at the game the other night.

“There’s a great affinity, they all think a lot of Harry, he’s a good character and personality and it gave the boys a lift seeing him before the game.

“Fingers crossed he has a part to play before the end of the season.”