Rovers will wait until the summer to pursue any possible move for Harrison Reed, with the on-loan midfielder holding ambitions of making the grade at parent club Southampton.

Reed, who turned 24 last Sunday, is on loan until the end of the season after the Saints opted against recalling him this month.

And he put in an impressive display in the weekend win over Hull City, scoring the third in the 3-0 Championship success.

The fan favourite still has two years to run on his contract at St Mary’s and looks set to return to the south coast in the summer to fight his place under new boss Ralph Hasenhüttl.

Mowbray, who signed Harry Chapman from Middlesbrough on Monday, said Reed is targeting a spot in the Saints first team squad. But should he become available, the Rovers boss admitted he would jump at the chance to sign him.

“Everybody likes Harrison Reed, the dressing room has brought into Harrison Reed’s personality but we have to put it into context, he is a Southampton player,” said Mowbray.

“In my conversations with him he wants to try and play in the Premier League for Southampton and the new manager hasn’t really seen him so it is not for making a decision.

“We have enquired, I think the boy wants to play his football here, see what pre-season brings with Southampton, see if the new manager likes what he is and if he doesn’t then we can have discussions and see if we can find the money - if he wants to come of course because he might have other options off the back of his performance level here.

“We would love to sign Harrison Reed but the bottom line is you have to be fair to the boy.

“He is here to gain experience because he does want to play in the Premier League with Southampton if he can.”

Reed has made 26 appearances for Rovers this season with his goal against Hull his third of the campaign and first since the draw with West Brom in late October.

He has impressed the manager with his 'Premier League mentality' and approach to the game, as well as the way he has adapted to a new look role on the right-side of midfield.

He played 43 times for Norwich during a season-long spell at Carrow Road last year, mainly at wing back, and has played 30 times in all competitions for the Saints.

The last of those came as a substitute in a Premier League win at West Brom in April 2017.

After Kasey Palmer was recalled by Chelsea, to be loaned out to Bristol City, Reed is now the only loan player on Rovers’ books.

That could be an avenue they look to tap in to before tomorrow’s 11pm transfer deadline.