It is coming to the time of year where Rovers face decisions over which players will be offered deals.

That runs from the first-team down to the Under-23s, while at Under-18 and Under-16 level those calls are whether to offer professional, or scholarship, terms.

While Georgie Gent became the latest player of Ryan Kidd’s squad to sign a professional deal, the Under-18s have handed trials to a number of players in recent weeks

Everton goalkeeper Jak Stewart played 90 minutes in the recent 3-1 win over Manchester United, while Luther Munakandafa, at Barnsley earlier in the season, started the 2-1 defeat to Burnley on Tuesday afternoon.

Giovanni Loureiro, a midfielder who has been on the books of Leicester City and had a trial at West Ham United, was an unused substitute in that game.

And now Rovers have been linked with a move for Everton defender Mathew Mallon.

His two-year scholarship with the Toffees is coming to an end, and reports say that Rovers will be his next destination.

Mallon, a right back, has had an injury-time of it with Everton, which has restricted him to 30 appearances in the Under-18s Premier League. He has also played four times for their Under-23s side.

He hasn’t played for Everton since captaining the Under-18s in their FA Youth Cup fifth round defeat to Manchester United and a move to Rovers now appears to be in the works.

Rovers do have options at right back within the Academy ranks.

Dan Pike is under contract until 2023, with the club having an option for a further 12 months, and the 20-year-old has spent much of this season on loan with National League north side AFC Fylde.

Jay Haddow has been a mainstay in Ryan Kidd’s Under-18s side, and has also played eight times for the Under-23s. The 18-year-old is one of those players whose futures are up for discussion this summer, as is fellow right back Joe Ferguson who agreed an extension to his scholarship last summer.

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