Rovers have until next Saturday to publish their retained list, with a few decisions being weighed up before it is published.

The club have already confirmed the exits of midfield duo Bradley Johnson and Joe Rothwell after the pair took to social media to announce their departures at the end of their current contracts.

Johnson was the most experienced member of the squad at 35 and made 86 appearances across his three years at Ewood Park, having triggered an appearance-based option in the two-year deal when joining from Derby County in 2019 to earn himself another year.

Rothwell too had his option taken up last year and was a mainstay of the side in 2021/22, but opted to run down his contract in search of pastures new after four seasons with Rovers.

The futures of Darragh Lenihan and Ryan Nyambe hang in the balance, the pair both seeing their deals expire this summer but remain in talks with the club over extending their stays.

It had been expected that Nyambe would leave with his representatives not engaging in talks over a contract renewal, though that changed last month, giving hope that the 24-year-old could yet stay.

Lenihan too could stay, but he is assessing his options as Rovers search for a new manager following the departure of Tony Mowbray.

While Rothwell and Johnson’s departures will again be confirmed in the retained list, the likelihood is that Rovers will outline that talks remain ongoing with Lenihan and Nyambe, and again confirm the option has been taken up in the deal of top scorer Ben Brereton.

One player whose future is to be confirmed is midfielder Jacob Davenport.

The four-year deal signed when he became Rovers’ second signing post promotion from League One is now coming to an end, a spell that has been dogged by injuries.

He has managed only 36 appearances in those four years but is still 23, and has shown fleeting glimpses of what he can offer.

However, Davenport hasn’t featured for the first-team since November, but Rovers could yet opt to offer him a new deal and give him chance to impress the new manager ahead of the 2022/23 season with time still on his side.

His future will likely be the biggest talking point from the retained list which is likely to be published early next week.

Elsewhere, Harry Chapman signed a one-year deal last year but spent much of the season on loan at Burton Albion. He has made clear his plans to search for a new club this summer to pursue regular first-team football having not yet made a league start for Rovers.

Dan Butterworth also finished the season out on loan, the 22-year-old not having the impact he would have liked at Fleetwood Town following 14 appearances in the first half of the season.

Butterworth has been long been tipped to make the grade at Rovers, but injuries haven’t helped his cause, though the club will likely choose to trigger the one-year option in his deal to keep him under contract for at least another season.

The same goes for goalkeeper Jordan Eastham whose deal is nearing its conclusion, but does contain an option.

The 20-year-old was on the bench on the final day at Birmingham City, and has been the club’s third choice behind Thomas Kaminski and Aynsley Pears, playing regularly for the Under-23s.

Rovers do have Antonis Stergiakis, Joe Hilton and Felix Goddard as other goalkeeping options under contract, but given his performances for the Under-23s, and excellent distribution, the club will likely feel that Eastham is deserving of a new deal.

The other player with first-team experience under his belt, but out of contract, is Tyler Magloire.

The defender saw his season cut short by injury, returning from his loan spell at Northampton Town where he moved in January after four appearances in the first half of the season for Rovers.

Magloire, aged 23, has had a number of spells away from Rovers, and with interest north of the border, his time at the club is likely to come to an end.

In the Under-23s, Luke Brennan, Joe Ferguson and Sam Durrant will all leave at the end of their deals, but several others in Mike Sheron’s will be given extensions. Sam Burns has already agreed a one-year extension, with an option, and more are set to follow.

A healthy number of Rovers Under-18s are also set to agree their first professional deals with the club.

Adam Wharton, Harry Leonard and Georgie Gent have already signed pro terms with Rovers, with several more of Ryan Kidd’s squad set to agree terms with the club after an impressive season at Under-18s level.

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