Rovers are closing in on the signing of Crewe Alexandra left back Harry Pickering.

The Lancashire Telegraph understands the two clubs are close to an agreement for the 22-year-old and that it will be wrapped up in advance of Monday's 11pm deadline.

Pickering played for the Alex in their 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town this afternoon, returning from a back spasm which had seen him miss the last two matches.

But a deal which would  see him move to Rovers is expected to go through, however, there is the prospect of Pickering being loaned back to the League One club for the remainder of the season.

Tony Mowbray said after todays’ win over Luton Town that a deal for a left back is being worked on given the shortage of options Rovers will have in the summer.

Barry Douglas has had an excellent run of displays in that position, and although Amari'i Bell missed today's game, he is a back-up option to the Leeds United loanee.

However, with Douglas only on loan, and Bell out of contract in the summer, Rovers are looking long-term with the signing of Pickering, and could allow him to re-join the Alex on loan, before joining Rovers permanently in the summer.

He said: “You all seem to know more than I do about trying to sign a left back because at the moment we’ve got a loan left back and an out of contract left back and I’m trying to fill some holes in this team as we move forward to help take us where we’re wanting to go.

“If we can do them, great.”

Pickering was back in the Crewe side for their draw with Ipswich Town, and boss David Artell said he had no hesitation over playing him, despite the speculation surrounding his future.

“You just have to be honest with the player and the player has to be honest with us,” Artell said.

“We had it with Perry (Ng who went to Cardiff this month) and asked him if he was in the right frame of mind to play and he said no. That’s absolutely no problem.

“I didn’t have to have that conversation with Harry, I’ve had conversations with him, but I don’t need to ask him those questions. He’s not like that.

“It’s about managing players, managing people. If Harry wants to come and have a chat with me then we can have a chat, it’s as simple as that.

“I don’t think his performance suggested he was unsettled. He’s a great lad and will continue playing for this football club until he’s told otherwise.”