Harrison Reed has played his final game for Rovers this season - and Tony Mowbray admits the midfielder wants to see how the land lies at his parent club before deciding on his future.

Reed has returned to Southampton to begin treatment on the ankle injury he sustained in training.

He will miss the final two matches of the season, having also been absent for wins over Nottingham Forest, QPR and Bolton this month.

The 24-year-old became a popular figure at the club during his season-long loan in which he played 36 times and scored three goals.

Reed still has two years left to run on his contract with the Saints, and is understood to be keen to impress boss Ralph Hasenhuttl.

“He’s got a new manager that he hasn’t worked with yet who seems to be giving youngsters an opportunity,” Mowbray said.

“Josh Sims has broken in to the team, a very similar age, stature and type of footballer to Harrison.

“Why wouldn’t you at a Premier League club want to go through pre-season and see whether the new manager likes you, what you bring to the game?

“We can all assess on the back of that.

“I’m sure his agents and advisors on the back of that will be on the phone once they get a feel of what they think.

“There’s some financial implications around that. He’s a Premier League footballer on a Premier League salary, and their expectation of him as a Premier League player is what they would command, whatever that might be. I’m relaxed, Harrison seems relaxed.

“He just wants to go away, get fit, enjoy his summer, start pre-season with Southampton and see where it takes him.”

Reed picked up the injury when striking a ball in training earlier this month, and after being assessed by Southampton, has now returned to the club on a full-time basis.

Mowbray added: “He came in to my office the other day with a cast over his foot.

“Southampton feel it’s best that he goes back there for treatment. He is their player and that’s what’s happening.

“He integrated really well in to the group. He’s a great lad, took advice well, didn’t moan when he got left out, we all enjoyed his company. It’s frustrating for him, and us, that he’s left before the season with an injury which was really innocuous.”