BURTON Albion are attempting to take Blackburn Rovers defender Anthony O’Connor back to the club on loan again for the 2013/14 season.

O’Connor made 51 appearances for the Brewers after spending last season on loan in the East Midlands.

Burton boss Gary Rowett has now revealed that he wants the Republic of Ireland under 21 international back on loan for the new campaign – and even asked Gary Bowyer about a permanent deal.

Rowett said: “I spoke to Gary and first of all I made a cheeky enquiry about whether we could agree a sell-on clause and they’d let us sign up on a free. But he said no – politely.

“Then I asked about a loan and he said he wants to get him back for pre-season and have a look at him for two or three weeks and see where he’s at.”

Fellow emerging Rovers star Tim Payne was in action for the New Zealand under 20s side as they were beaten 5-3 by Iraq in Turkey.

The match was a warm-up for the forthcoming Under 20s World Cup.

They take on Egypt in another friendly on Monday.

Former West Germany international Bernd Schuster, who was twice linked with an interest in managerial vacancies at Rovers, will become the new manager of Champions Legaue quarter finalists Malaga.

Ex-Rovers scout Kevin Cruickshank has left QPR to rejoin Mark Hughes at Stoke.