Birmingham City boss' snub of Blackburn Rovers-linked player

Patrick Roberts has been linked with Blackburn Rovers. <i>(Image: PA)</i>
Patrick Roberts has been linked with Blackburn Rovers. (Image: PA)
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Tony Mowbray is hoping to lure away an old favourite as he hopes to inject more magic into Blackburn Rovers' forward line before the window ends.

The head coach might've been frustrated at the late goal Rovers conceded at Molineux but, now the dust has settled, he will reflect fondly on a morale-boosting performance from his side.

With Rovers still active in the transfer market, Patrick Roberts is the latest name linked. He is, of course, a player Mowbray has worked with previously during his time at Sunderland.

He brought the best out of the former Fulham Academy graduate, with his obvious talents alerting Manchester City. It never worked out at the elite level but he is proven Championship quality.

It's unclear how receptive Birmingham would be to negotiations but he is certainly out of favour with Chris Davies. Roberts was an unused substitute yet again as Blues drew 0-0 with Sheffield United, with full-back Ethan Laird brought on ahead of him in that role.

Asked about that decision post-match, Davies told BBC WM: “At that stage of the game it was a case of trying to get a bit of strength and speed on.

“The craft of Patrick is really utilised against those low blocks when he can open things up on that left foot. It's just been a couple of times I've preferred Ethan (Laird) in that role. Pat needs to continue and he will get his chance.”

That was the seventh successive game that Roberts was left on the bench for the entire match. He hasn't played a competitive minute for Birmingham since their Easter weekend defeat at Ipswich Town.

Despite signing permanently in January, the arrival of fellow right-winger Carlos Vicente has pushed him down the pecking order. Despite Birmingham looking for an opener, Davies turned elsewhere, which might offer Rovers some encouragement.

If they could finance a deal for Roberts, it would be a shrewd signing. He is a classy operator at this level and Mowbray has brought the best out of him previously.

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