Rovers target Pelly Ruddock is set to make a decision over his future in the coming days.

Midfield reinforcements are high on Rovers’ transfer priority list after a raft of departures over the summer, and injury concerns heading into the 2021/22 Championship season.

Middlesbrough are understood to be leading the chase for the 27-year-old who is a free agent after turning down the offer of a new deal at Luton Town where he has been since 2013, making close to 300 appearances.

The Lancashire Telegraph has been told Rovers have put forward an offer to the all-action midfielder, who is keen to remain in England, despite a contract being on the talent from Turkish Super Lig Hatayspor.

Rovers played their second friendly of the close season on Saturday, beaten 1-0 by Everton, where they were without Bradley Johnson who is struggling with a hamstring concern, leaving Tony Mowbray short of options in the middle of the pitch.

Holes were created in the midfield ranks when the club published its retained list at the end of last season, with Corry Evans, Lewis Holtby and Stewart Downing all seeing their contracts come to an end, while Tom Trybull returned to Norwich City at the end of his loan spell.

They are yet to make a signing in any position this season, leaving the Under-23s squad to step up in pre-season, however that is an area of the pitch in which Billy Barr’s side are also not blessed with depth either.

Isaac Whitehall was used at Everton but was the only recognised central midfielder on the pitch for Rovers in the final half hour.

They have been linked with Manchester City youngster Tommy Doyle, while Stefan Johansen, Adam Reach and Robbie Burton have also been mentioned in the club’s recruitment search.

A host of Championship sides are looking at Doyle, with City considering allowing him to further his development out on loan.

Rovers will hope close links to the Etihad club, having loaned Tosin Adarabioyo and Taylor Harwood-Bellis within the last two years, will stand them in good stead in the chase for the 19-year-old who has made seven senior appearances for Pep Guardiola’s side, but Swansea City appear well placed to close a deal.

Luton had hoped to keep hold of Ruddock, and haven’t admitted defeat, though boss Nathan Jones said at the weekend: “Let’s just give that a few days and we’ll see where we are with everything, and any confirmation I can give you on anything of that, I’ll do that.”

Boro are heading to Cornwall this week as they ramp up their preparations for the upcoming season, with the new season under three weeks away.

For Rovers, they are expected to play a behind closed doors friendly in the lead up to the visit to Bradford City on Sunday, before hosting Leeds United and then travelling to Bolton Wanderers to round up their preparations.

Isaac Whitehall was used at Everton but was the only recognised central midfielder on the pitch for Rovers in the final half hour.

They have been linked with Manchester City youngster Tommy Doyle, while Stefan Johansen, Adam Reach and Robbie Burton have also been mentioned in the club’s recruitment search.

A host of Championship sides are looking at Doyle, with City considering allowing him to further his development out on loan.

Rovers will hope close links to the Etihad club, having loaned Tosin Adarabioyo and Taylor Harwood-Bellis within the last two years, will stand them in good stead in the chase for the 19-year-old who has made seven senior appearances for Pep Guardiola’s side.

Luton had hoped to keep hold of Ruddock, and haven’t admitted defeat, though boss Nathan Jones said at the weekend: “Let’s just give that a few days and we’ll see where we are with everything, and any confirmation I can give you on anything of that, I’ll do that.”

Boro are heading to Cornwall this week as they ramp up their preparations for the upcoming season, with the new season under three weeks away.

For Rovers, they are expected to play a behind closed doors friendly in the lead up to the visit to Bradford City on Sunday, before hosting Leeds United and then travelling to Bolton Wanderers to round up their preparations.