Rovers have rejected a third bid from promotion rivals Bournemouth for midfielder Joe Rothwell.

Bournemouth have had an interest in Rothwell throughout the January window and first made contact with Rovers earlier in the month.

However, the Cherries haven’t reached anywhere near the valuation that Rovers have for the 27-year-old who has been a key performer this season.

Reports this morning have surfaced that Bournemouth have submitted a bid in excess of £2m for the midfielder but Rovers are holding firm.

Rothwell has featured in all but one of Rovers’ matches this season, contributing three goals and eight assists.

The former Manchester United youngster has become a key man in the last two seasons in particular but is out of contract in the summer.

There has been no progress on talks to extend his deal at Ewood Park which would currently see him leave as a free agent.

Rothwell is currently three games short of reaching 150 appearances for Rovers since his move from Oxford United in 2018 when he became the club’s first signing after promotion from League One.

He missed the Middlesbrough win with a back issue, the first time he has been absent from a matchday squad this season.

Mowbray: “He was much better than he was yesterday, but still a bit stiff, he couldn’t rotate.

“The best thing was to leave him out. We knew about Middlesbrough’s physicality and their ability from set plays and it was no problem to leave Joe out and put Bradley in who could help us with those situations.

“Joe will hopefully in with a chance at the weekend.”