Rovers are in discussions over the future of George Hirst’s loan at Ewood Park.

The striker joined on a season-long loan deal from Leicester City in August after signing a contract extension with his parent club. That loan deal included an option to buy, with no break clause in January.

Hirst has endured a difficult time of things, making only two league starts and failing to find the back of the net.

He didn’t make the matchday squad for the New Year’s Day win over Cardiff City, which Jon Dahl Tomasson put down to illness.

The Lancashire Telegraph understands that Rovers cannot cut short the loan, but he could be recalled, therefore cancelling the permanent option within the deal, which would require the agreement of all parties.

The expectation currently is that Hirst would be recalled and then loaned elsewhere, having spent last season at League One side Portsmouth where he scored 14 goals, with chances at Rovers likely to be limited post-January.

Tomasson was tight-lipped over the future of his loan players, but did stress the importance of Rovers looking to refresh the squad in January.

Tyler Morton looks certain to stay at Ewood Park to see out the remainder of his season-long loan spell having featured in every Championship match since arriving at the club, with only Thomas Kaminski and Ben Brereton having played more minutes.

Liverpool have regularly monitored the 20-year-old, but his status within the first-team picture at Rovers, and Morton enjoying his time at Ewood Park, will see that one run until the end of the season.

The situation of Rovers’ other two loanees is a little more complex, however.

George Hirst and Clinton Mola arrived from Leicester City and Stuttgart respectively late into the summer window on loan for the remainder of the season.

Those included options for Rovers to make them permanent at the end of the season should they wish.

However, neither has found life easy at Ewood Park, with only 11 and six appearances respectively across the first weeks of the season.

Mola was handed a surprise start in the East Lancashire derby with Burnley, and played more than 80 minutes of the defeat to Preston North End off the bench, while Hirst has made only two Championship starts and saw an injury-time penalty saved in the October defeat at Cardiff City.

Neither made the matchday squad against Cardiff, and while no update was provided on Mola’s availability, head coach Tomasson said illness ruled out Hirst as Jack Vale took his place in the squad.

Asked about the future of the loanees, Tomasson said: “In football you never know, it’s the same as when we spoke about Ben (Brereton) at the beginning that I can’t promise anything, in football everything is possible.

“I always think you have to have a good conversation and be proactive with your communication, very clear, very direct, that’s the way I do things.

“All the boys will have a very clear mind of my thoughts.”

Mola was Rovers’ second defensive signing of the window, after Dom Hyam, and his versatility of playing both as a central defender and left back offers versatility to Tomasson.

With the FA Cup tie with Norwich City on the horizon this weekend, that could provide a chance for the 21-year-old to be involved.

With Tayo Edun set to be the target of loan interest in January, there is a chance that Mola could stick around, with the need for him to be recalled under the terms of his loan.

Hirst’s time at Ewood looks more uncertain, with the current expectation that he will get another move this month.

That would require him to be recalled, cutting short his Rovers loan, and opening up the prospect of another loan.

Academy graduate Vale, who landed a new long-term deal earlier this season, has been preferred to Hirst as Rovers’ back-up striker, despite the Leicester loanee having been identified as the No.1 striking target this season.

With injuries to Sam Szmodics and Tyrhys Dolan, Rovers’ attacking options have been stretched of late.

Dilan Markanday has made the bench for Rovers’ three matches over the festive period, without getting any minutes on the pitch, and while he could get a chance in the FA Cup on Sunday, the 21-year-old is one who would benefit from a loan move.

Given that Rovers missed out on an attacker in the final throes of the summer window, it is an area of the pitch that Tomasson will have identified to director of football Gregg Broughton as in need of strengthening.

Aaron Connolly was a target for Rovers last summer, but the Brighton attacker is closing in a move to Hull City, who are also said to be leading the race for Crystal Palace youngster Michael Ebiowei who has been linked with a move to Ewood Park.

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