Rovers goalkeeping target David Cornell is closing in on a move to Ipswich Town.

Cornell was on Rovers’ list of goalkeeping options in January as Tony Mowbray tried to make plans for the exodus which was expected in the summer.

However, Rovers opted against strengthening their goalkeeping department in the winter window, and are now without a senior goalkeeper on their books after Christian Walton returned to parent club Brighton with the hope of breaking in to their first-team set-up, and Jayson Leutwiler leaving at the end of his after three years as being No.2.

Reports in Suffolk say the 29-year-old, who left Northampton Town at the end of his contract earlier this summer, has held talks with the Tractor Boys and is set to be confirmed as their first summer signing.

Paul Lambert, who has also shown interest in Danny Graham after his release by Rovers last month, is keen to add competition for Tomas Holy who signed a new deal at the club this month.

Ipswich are set to turn to the Welshman with another of their targets, Remi Matthews, set to move to Sunderland.

The Black Cats, who have also shown interest in Graham, are also on the lookout for a new stopper after Jon McLaughlin joined Rangers as a free agent.

Rovers had been heavily linked with the Scotland international, although Tony Mowbray refuted suggestions that McLaughlin had ever been a target.

Cornell had also been linked with Birmingham and Derby County after impressing in his 108 appearances for the Cobblers, having previously spent time at Oldham, Portsmouth and St Mirren after coming through the ranks at Swansea City.

The former Wales Under-21 international will keen to establish himself as Ipswich’s first choice ‘keeper, with Cornell likely to have been brought in as one of two senior options had Rovers made their move.

Cobblers boss Keith Curle had vowed that Cornell could make up the step up to the Championship however, should an offer arrive, despite finishing the season as second choice at Sixfields.

He said: “Without going into the details, in my opinion, Dai needed a new challenge. That’s a conversation I had with him and fair play to him because a lot of things we spoke about, he agreed with.

“Potentially, Dai could go and play at a higher level and compete at a higher level but I think the timing was right for him as an individual to go and test himself in new surroundings.”

Rovers will have watched Cornell last season, after Academy ‘keeper Andy Fisher made a loan switch to the Cobblers in the first half of last season while Steve Arnold, who would go on to play in their play-off matches, was ruled out injured.

Fisher, aged 22, only managed to feature in the Checkatrade Trophy matches before returning to Rovers, though Scott Wharton did spend the full season with Curle’s side.

Fisher was later loaned to MK Dons in League One, but also failed to make a league appearance before lockdown struck.

He is set to have more loan interest this summer, but Rovers will need to source two new goalkeepers before considering allowing him, or fellow Academy goalkeeper Joe Hilton, to gain more experience in the EFL.

Rovers also have Jordan Eastham signed to professional terms after he agreed a two-year deal after graduating through the Academy.

Another goalkeeper to have been linked with Rovers, Daniel Iversen, moved to Belgian side OH Leuven earlier this week.

The Dane, on the books at Leicester City and with loan experience at Rotherham United and Oldham, joined the Foxes’ sister club on loan until the end of the season.

Rovers have also been linked to Middlesbrough’s Aynsley Pears and Manchester City youngster Arijanet Muric.