Tony Mowbray believes Ewood Park is the best place for Ryan Nyambe despite a contract stand-off threatening to see his time at the club come to an end.

Nyambe is one of three regular starters in the team to be out of contract in the summer, with little progress made despite the offer of a long-term deal remaining on the table.

The 24-year-old would be free to leave when his contract expires in the summer, though reports of possible interest in January are yet to materialise.

Nyambe has played most of his near-200 appearances for Rovers under Mowbray who hopes the Namibia international will come round to the idea of signing a contract extension.

He said: “He’s been amazing for me in my five years at the club, he’s an international footballer now and it’s a shame because I believe that Ryan should stay at this football club and continue his development.

“He’s only a young boy and has a lot more growth in him.”

Reports surfaced of possible January interest in Nyambe who is approaching a decade at Rovers.

However, Mowbray says there has yet to be any enquiries from any club for the right back, but equally no progress on contract talks.

It means the likelihood is that Nyambe will stay with Rovers until the summer when he will be able to leave on a free transfer.

“Nobody has phoned,” Mowbray added.

“Ryan is one of the players who is out of contract in the summer, no-one has phoned.

“Ryan is getting on with it, training hard, working hard.

“Contractual conversations have gone on for a long time but we don’t seem to be getting very far with his advisors.

“I don’t know, the phone has to ring if someone is to leave. Ryan Nyambe will leave in the summer if he doesn’t want to sign a new contract, he’s been offered a new contract.

“If someone wants to buy him now then the number will have to be right for us to make a decision on whether we’re going to sell or to keep.”

Rovers have confirmed the signing of right back James Brown after his contract came to an end at Drogheda United.

The 23-year-old spent time on trial with Rovers last month and has now been unveiled as the first January signing.

Mowbray says Brown will initially be part of the Under-23s squad and will make his debut for Mike Sheron’s side when they host Manchester City on Sunday.

Joe Rankin-Costello could also feature in that game but it will come too soon for Bradley Dack as he continues his comeback from a second ACL injury.

Meanwhile, Mowbray has poured cold water on the prospect of Sheffield United attacker Oliver Burke making a move to Ewood Park.

The 24-year-old was a target in the summer but of the latest links, the Rovers boss said: “I’m not sure where that came from. It hasn’t come from us.”