Joe Rankin-Costello faces a fight to get into Jon Dahl Tomasson’s plans after a loan move away from Ewood Park fell through on deadline day.

The 22-year-old had been earmarked for a loan move but impressed in the Carabao Cup tie at Bradford City, and with that coinciding with an injury to first-choice option Callum Brittain, he made his first Championship start of the season against Stoke City.

However, Rankin-Costello was replaced at half time, with the loan move to League One then expected to happen on deadline day having been left out of the squad for the win at Blackpool.

That didn’t materialise as planned, leaving Rankin-Costello needing to force his way back into Tomasson’s plans.

Despite Brittain still out injured, captain Lewis Travis has played in an unfamiliar right back role for the last two Championship matches, while Hayden Carter is seen as another option in that position.

That is despite Rankin-Costello having looked set to provide the competition to summer signing Brittain after Rovers opted to loan out James Brown to League Two Stockport County.

Rankin-Costello, aged 23, has struggled with injury issues in recent seasons, with 42 senior appearances to his name.

He still has two years left to run on his contract, but he looks to face an uncertain future at the club.

Tomasson said: "It will be difficult for Joe (Rankin-Costello), for sure.

"We don't know yet (if he'll play 21s).

"He was going on loan but that didn't happen in that way.

“He needs to work hard to get around the team in a position where there is a lot of competition as well."

Rankin-Costello, who joined Rovers from Manchester United as a teenager, came through the ranks as an attacking player, but has seen much of his football at senior level come on the right, and left, side of the defence.

He made 10 appearances last season, and 16 in 2020/21, both of which were interrupted by injury.

So far this season he has started both Carabao Cup wins over League Two sides Hartlepool United and Bradford City, as well as the Stoke City defeat.

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