BLACKBURN Rovers are confident of securing a deal for Cardiff City’s Peter Whittingham – but the midfielder does have interest from Championship clubs.

Rovers boss Tony Mowbray is keen to make the 32-year-old his first signing of the summer with the playmaker out of contract at the Cardiff City Stadium.

He has been offered fresh terms to stay with Neil Warnock’s side but could be tempted by linking up with Mowbray at Rovers.

Whittingham made 37 appearances for the Bluebirds last season, scoring seven goals, but found his playing time limited towards the end of the campaign, having not completed 90 minutes since mid-March.

And although he has an offer on the table in South Wales he is expected to seek a new club this summer as he weighs up his future.

Rovers are one of a number of teams interested in signing the former Aston Villa man but they face competition from at least one Championship club for his signature.

However, it is understood that Whittingham is interested in working under Mowbray at Ewood with the Rovers' boss style of play suiting him.

He is also keen to play regular football, something that would on the table at Rovers, while the challenge of potentially competing at the top end of the table, albeit in League One, appeals.

The Cardiff man does have other options but is keen to sort his future quickly meaning any potential Rovers deal could be sorted in the next few days, although he would not be able to officially move to East Lancashire until July 1 when his contract with the Bluebirds expires.

Whittingham has made more than 450 appearances for Cardiff since joining the club in 2005, scoring 98 goals, and is a firm fans favourite with City supporters.

He began his career at Villa Park and spent time on loan with Burnley and Derby County before moving to Cardiff.

Rovers are keen to strengthen in the middle of midfield having released Jason Lowe, Hope Akpan and Danny Guthrie at the end of last season while Corry Evans is currently out injured.