Corry Evans is set to be handed the opportunity to stay in the Championship after attracting interest from two of Rovers’ second tier rivals.

Stoke City have held a long-term interest in the 30-year-old who will leave Rovers after eight years at the club.

However, Cardiff City have also been credited with keeping tabs on Evans who is available on a free transfer.

The midfielder played 219 times for Rovers after joining in 2013 from Hull City and has been a regular with Northern Ireland during that time.

Links to Stoke quickly emerged after Michael O’Neill left his role at Northern Ireland to take up the position at the bet365 Stadium in November 2019.

That still remains now, and the Potters has always been the expected destination for Evans who played 18 times for Rovers last term.

He didn’t join up with Northern Ireland for their friendly double-header earlier this month to concentrate on his search for a new club, with Mick McCarthy’s Cardiff City now said to have entered the race.

Evans wasn’t offered a new deal by Rovers, leaving the midfielder searching for a new club, with interest growing in his services.