BLACKBURN Rovers are poised to sign Bolton Wanderers midfielder Jay Spearing on loan.

Reports late last night suggested that the 26-year-old will join Rovers until the reminder of the season.

And this morning Bolton boss Neil Lennon has confirmed that a deal is close.

Lennon said:  “Blackburn are interested in Jay. He's a great professional but has found it hard to get in the team so it's best for both parties.”

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Rovers boss Gary Bowyer is a long-time admirer of Spearing.

He tried to sign the Merseysider in the summer of 2013 after he was allowed to leave his boyhood club Liverpool.

But Spearing instead chose to move to Bolton, where had spent the previous season on loan, in a £1.5m deal.

Spearing has fallen out of favour at the Macron Stadium after the arrival of Lennon as manager.

Earlier this month he was on the verge of joining Watford only for an exchange deal with Diego Fabbrini to fall through.

Bowyer has kept a close eye on Spearing's situation and at the start of this month watched him produce a commanding performance for Bolton in their U21s Premier League win over Rovers.