Corry Evans, Rovers’ longest serving player, will leave the club after eight years this summer.

Tony Mowbray has confirmed the Northern Ireland international hasn’t been offered a new contract, with his current deal set to expire at the end of next month.

The most recent of Evans’ 218 appearances came in the win over Huddersfield Town, but he was an unused substitute in last weekend’s draw with Rotherham United.

Evans has made 11 starts, and six substitute appearances, in what has been another stop-start campaign for the central midfielder who arrived at Ewood Park in 2013 from Hull City, scoring on his first start against Bolton Wanderers, one of only five across his Rovers career.

Mowbray had already confirmed that Lewis Holtby wouldn’t be retained by Rovers at the end of his contract, and has revealed several more will leave when their deals expire.

And in an interview with the Belfast Telegraph, Mowbray says Evans is among those players whose services won’t be retained.

"He is out of contract and hasn't been offered a new one," Mowbray said.

"I am sure he will have plenty of options.

"Corry is an immense young man, an international footballer. He has plenty going for him. Let's see, but I am sure there will be a lot of takers for him.

"I have no doubt that not only will he find a new club, but it will be at a good level.”

Injuries have blighted Evans’ tenure, however, results have tended to be stronger when he has been in the side.

Groin issues have been the main fitness concern, however, he did spend three months on the sidelines after sustaining a fractured skull in a head collision against Preston North End in January 2020.

He battled back from that, only to break his toe on a goalscoring return to the side against Bristol City last June.

And absences have been the main issue for Evans, who missed the second half of the 2016/17 season in which Rovers were relegated, before going on to make 32 appearances as they were promoted back to the second tier.

And Mowbray added: "His overall season seems to have been driven by injuries.

"From having his face smashed last year to a broken toe and then a hamstring issue, he's had injuries all along.

"He has been unlucky with injuries. He was injured when I arrived here but if you are an abrasive, attritional footballer you will pick up injuries.

"I don't know his perception of the last four years. We went down to League One at the start but we had a good season getting back up. We tried to build from there but Corry has missed a lot of it through injury. I remember him making his return from his head injury and scoring but breaking his toe in the same game.”

Evans was linked with Stoke City, and a reunion with former international manager Michael O’Neill, in previous windows, and that could be an option he explores.

But whoever does sign him, Mowbray feels they’re getting a solid Championship campaigner.

"I think the best way with Corry is to love him," he explained. "A club where he will feel really important."

"I pigeon-hole Corry as a destructive, simplistic footballer rather than being creative. He is brilliant at reading people's eyes, anticipating and stepping in front and nicking the ball.”