Rovers remain in talks with Ryan Nyambe over the prospect of a new deal.

However, there is a growing feeling that Darragh Lenihan could be set to move on as interest builds in the defender.

Both are out of contract, but have been offered new deals by the club, as detailed in the publishing of the retained list last month.

Where previously it had looked set that Nyambe would definitely leave, his representatives returned to the negotiation table in April, raising the prospect that the right back, who has played 200 times for the club, could yet stay.

Talks are ongoing with the 24-year-old, who is currently away on international duty with Namibia, but he is also free to speak with other clubs should he wish.

The same is true with Lenihan, albeit the 28-year-old, who has made over 250 appearances since graduating through the Academy, is understood to have strong interest in him.

The arrival of a new manager was understood to be key in Lenihan’s decision over whether to stay, but with that no closer to being finalised, the Rovers captain may look to take up the interest from elsewhere, with Middlesbrough among those keen on his signature.

Rovers have already seen first-team regular Joe Rothwell leave on a free, and will be hoping to avoid a similar situation with both Nyambe and Lenihan.

Both were key parts of the team under Tony Mowbray, and their futures are understood to have been discussed with prospective managerial candidates.

Yet with teams, including Rovers, returning to pre-season training in a matter of weeks, the players will be keen for their futures to be sorted.

Whether Rovers can reach a resolution without a manager in place is a hurdle they will need to overcome, but should either, or both, leave it will leave Rovers need to source yet more replacements for departing players.

Rovers exercised the options in the contracts of Jordan Eastham, Tyler Magloire, Dan Butterworth and Ben Brereton, extending their stay at Ewood Park by 12 months.

Under-23s midfielder Isaac Whitehall has signed a one-year deal, with an option, while Jalil Saadi is still weighing up his offer of a new deal.

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