Rovers face a decision over Hayden Carter with League One interest in the defender.

A League One promotion-chaser has enquired about taking Carter on loan this month until the end of the season.

Rovers turned down requests in the summer from clubs looking to take the 22-year-old on loan who was needed as cover in defence.

Carter has made nine appearances this season, including a stint at right back during Ryan Nyambe’s absence in August, but hasn’t been used since the 7-0 defeat to Fulham, while he hasn’t made the matchday squad since the November international break.

The 22-year-old, under contract until 2024, has had a minor injury problem of late that saw him unavailable for the FA Cup tie at Wigan Athletic.

Rovers face a similar decision as the summer as to whether to allow Carter to gain further development out on loan.

While that would be Tony Mowbray’s preference, the manager is well aware of leaving him short of options in defence, an issue Rovers have had previously in the second half of the season.

Carter impressed during a loan spell at Burton Albion last season and interest isn’t surprising.

Rovers will add to their defensive ranks later this week with the arrival of Hertha Berlin right back Deyovaisio Zeefuik on loan until the end of the season with an option to make that permanent.

The club are finalising the details of the 23-year-old’s move after the right back flew into England over the weekend.

Daniel Ayala has found it difficult to break back into the side after his return from injury, despite the switch to three central defenders, though Darragh Lenihan being forced off at half time against Wigan, where Scott Wharton was unavailable, and Jan Paul van Hecke struggling in the closing stages of the 3-2 defeat, shows how options can soon dwindle.

Mowbray will be keen not to leave himself short of options but would likely sanction a deal for Tyler Magloire.

He has interest from League Two clubs and is out of contract in the summer.

Magloire has made two appearances for the first-team this season and was on the bench against Wigan before captaining the Under-23s against Manchester City the following day.

Longer-term, Rovers are said to be in a three-way race for Hearts defender John Souttar.

Hearts are resigned to losing the 25-year-old who won’t sign a new deal, but would prefer that to be in the summer when his current contract ends.

Stoke City previously showed interest in Souttar but have since moved for former Rovers loanee Taylor Harwood-Bellis. He joins on a deal until the end of the season after seeing his loan spell at Anderlecht cut short.

Rangers and Sheffield United are other sides in the mix to sign Souttar.

Like Aberdeen’s Ryan Hedges, Rovers’ interest is currently weighted towards a pre-contract agreement rather than a January move.