Blackburn Rovers have registered goalkeeper Aynsley Pears despite being frozen out at Ewood Park.
The 27-year-old was number one when Valerien Ismael took charge but hasn't been seen in a pre-season match or a competitive squad since the 2024/25 season began.
Balazs Toth ended the campaign in goal and has been firmly established as number one. He has started every Championship game so far this term.
Nick Michalski started the Bradford City Carabao Cup tie with the England youth international impressing coaches throughout pre-season. Though he made a costly error on debut, Rovers' staff are clear that they want to give him opportunities to develop.
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Felix Goddard has been the back-up goalkeeper in the last two league matches with Michalski travelling as the third option. With no sign of Pears, he was expected to leave before the transfer deadline.
However, there were no permanent offers and despite Rovers being open to a loan thereafter, nothing was agreed. With Pears effectively fourth choice, there was a question mark over whether he would be registered.
Rovers have revealed a 23-man squad that has been submitted to the Championship. Players under the age of 21 automatically qualify, such as Goddard, Michalski, Kristi Montgomery and Igor Tyjon.
It leaves two places available for free agent signings, should Rovers want to bolster their squad before the January transfer window. They have been linked with Craig Dawson over the international break after the late departure of Dom Hyam.
Confirmed Rovers squad
1. Aynsley Pears
2. Ryan Alebiosu
3. Harry Pickering
4. Yuri Ribeiro
5. Taylor Gardner-Hickman
6. Sondre Tronstad
7. Augustus Kargbo
8. Sidnei Tavares
9. Makhtar Gueye
10. Todd Cantwell
11. Andri Gudjohnsen
12. Lewis Miller
14. Dion De Neve
15. Sean McLoughlin
16. Scott Wharton
17. Hayden Carter
18. Axel Henriksson
19. Ryan Hedges
22. Balazs Toth
23. Yuki Ohashi
24. Moussa Baradji
25. Ryoya Morishita
28. Adam Forshaw
All players born on or after January 1st 2004 are automatically eligible.
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