Blackburn Rovers have completed the signing of Adam Forshaw to make him their second January addition.
The 33-year-old has signed on a free transfer with a deal until the end of the season. Plymouth Argyle agreed to cancel his contract to facilitate the move.
Forshaw has plenty of Championship experience and is seen as a direct replacement for Baker, who was recalled by Stoke City on Wednesday. He follows Dion Sanderson in joining Rovers in the last 24 hours to bolster John Eustace's options.
The midfielder has played a bit-part role for Plymouth recently but has made 16 league appearances. His last start came at the end of November and he's only played 70 minutes since then.
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But with Lewis Travis set to return at the end of January, Forshaw is seen as a short-term fix to help Rovers, who are now light on numbers. They enjoyed similar success with Kyle McFadzean last January, who came in and helped plug a gap.
Eustace confirmed that Rovers might have to replace Baker after he returned to the Potteries.
“I think it is very evident when we lose any player – through injury or suspension – we are light in those areas," he said in his press conference.
“Obviously, Trav and Sonny did very well. Bakes came in, Johnny Buckley is there as well fighting for that shirt.
“But if we do get any injuries in that area now, it will leave us even more thin than what we were before. If we could (get somebody in) then fantastic.”
Forshaw is viewed as a low-cost option that will help Rovers maximise their January budget. The priority is to strengthen their options at the top end of the pitch and, therefore, the 33-year-old is viewed as a good way of ensuring the squad is covered without significantly eating into their available finances.
Rovers have been reliant on Travis and Sondre Tronstad, with the later starting every Championship game this season. John Buckley is yet to begin a league game but will get an opportunity in The FA Cup at Middlesbrough on Saturday.
Joe Rankin-Costello is another option but he's also seen as right-back competition with Leo Duru heading out on loan. The only other midfield option is Jake Garrett.
He was recalled from Bristol Rovers but can't go back out on loan if he makes a senior appearance for Rovers this month.
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