Keith Curle says Northampton Town will play the long game with Scott Wharton and allow Rovers to make their mind up on the central defender.

The Cobblers have made no secret of their desire to take Wharton back to Sixfields, but the Lancashire Telegraph understands the 22-year-old, and Tony Mowbray, have held discussions with the intention of the the homegrown defender fighting for a place in the Rovers side.

Wharton played 43 times last season, earning a third promotion from League Two, and gaps are set to open up in the heart of the Rovers defence, with Tosin Adarabioyo having returned to Manchester City and Charlie Mulgrew having interest from League One clubs.

Rovers are expected however, to recruit at least one new defender this summer to strengthen a backline which conceded 23 goals in their final 11 matches.

Hayden Carter is among the string of Academy defenders pushing for more first-team experience next season, with Tyler Magloire and Joe Grayson having had a taste under Mowbray, but Wharton will look to be at the head of that queue after clocking more than 100 appearances out on loan since his Rovers debut in August 2016.

And Curle said: “The lines of communication are still open between the clubs but we have to play the waiting game.

“Blackburn have watched him and they're very pleased with his progress, but now it's all about their opinion - is he that step closer that's needed to be a Championship player?

"If they decide that he's not quite ready just yet, he may need another year at a lower level, probably League One."

Meanwhile, Leicester City’s Daniel Iversen, one of a string of goalkeepers linked with Rovers, has joined the Foxes’ sister club, OH Leuven in the Belgian top flight.

Iversen spent last season with Rotherham United, after being with Oldham Athletic in 2018/19, as he gains valuable experience out on loan.

The Millers were keen to get the Danish Under-21 international back on loan this summer, though like Rovers, were quoted wage demands far in excess of what they would like to pay.

Wim De Corte, Technical Director OH Leuven said: “Iversen is a young and talented goalkeeper who has gone through all the youth series of the Danish national team. He already brings a lot of experience and is an immediate reinforcement for our core.”