Harry Chapman has reached a crossroads in his career, not just at Ewood Park, and he will now consider his next move with much thought.

Ten goal contributions during an impressive loan spell at Shrewsbury Town in the second half of the season has seen his stock rise, and it was expected Rovers would take up the year option in his deal, as outlined by Chapman himself, and Tony Mowbray.

However, there was no such option to take up in the deal that brought Chapman to Ewood Park in January 2019 for a second spell, this time on a permanent deal.

Things haven’t worked out in the last two-and-a-half years making only 12 Championship appearances, all as a substitute, regularly failing to make the matchday squad, and largely being used in their Under-23s set-up.

After two goals and five assists in the Under-23s’ final five matches of 2020, it became clear that it was time for Chapman to try his hand out on loan, and he’s done exactly what Rovers would have wanted, scoring seven times, many of them spectacular, and getting consistent game-time under his belt.

It’s always been felt that Chapman has never done enough to force his way into the side, whether that be in training, Under-23s matches or fleeting substitute appearances, and the emergence of Tyrhys Dolan further knocked him down the reckoning.

There has never been any doubting his talent, more his application, but he’s got himself fully fit, making the matchday squad for every Shrewsbury game, and demonstrated his talent and the self-confessed home-bird has done so away from friends and family.

Were there an option in his deal then it would be a much simpler situation. Chapman would come back in pre-season, look to force his way into the first-team plans, Mowbray would have chance to assess him, while Rovers would look at their other attacking options before making a decision on what to do with the former Middlesbrough man. Now there appears to be less flexibility, for Rovers to keep Chapman they will need to agree a new deal.

For Chapman to leave, he will reject the offer on the table, and see which of the interested parties, Shrewsbury Town undoubtedly one, will be able to agree a fee with Rovers for his services, or see the case go to a tribunal.

Chapman’s career has struggled for momentum, injuries, loans and non-selection behind that, but with 16 of his 20 league starts coming during his loan spell, he has to build on an excellent time in Shropshire. Mowbray said the plan was for Chapman to get 20 or 30 games under his belt out on loan and then come back. He’s done part one, but the second is more complicated by his contractual situation.

If he’s to stay at Rovers it would have the feeling of a last chance for both sides to make it work.