Rovers youngster Brad Lyons is a target for his former Coleraine boss Oran Kearney.

St Mirren, currently bottom of the Scottish Premiership, are understood to be interested in a move for the 21-year-old, with Rovers expecting interest in a number of their young players next month.

Lyons, who has become a regular for Damien Johnson’s Under-23s side of late, joined Rovers from Coleraine in August, a move which will be made permanent next month.

But his former Coleraine boss Kearney, now with St Mirren, is keen to reunite himself with the central midfielder when the January window opens.

Rovers are expecting interest in a number of their young players, including Lyons, while they also face decisions over the futures of Lewis Hardcastle, Scott Wharton and Matty Platt, all currently on season long loan deals with Port Vale, Lincoln City and Accrington Stanley respectively.

But the trio have all been short of action this season, and that will come in to Rovers’ thinking when deciding who will be allowed to move next season.

Johnson will also be keen not to leave himself short of options as Rovers Under-23s face a battle to try and stay in Premier League 2, a year on from their Division Two title-winning campaign.

Lewis Travis and Joe Nuttall have interest from League One and League Two clubs alike, just as they did in the summer.

They are the players most likely to leave next month, but attacker Dan Butterworth and Joe Grayson could also attract interest.