BLACKBURN Rovers boss Gary Bowyer is refusing to rule out offering winger Liam Feeney a permanent deal.

The 27-year-old struggled to make an impact after signing for Rovers on loan from Championship rivals Millwall in March.

Feeney was restricted to just one start – the 1-1 home draw with champions Leicester – and five substitute appearances.

But he could yet get the chance to make an impression with Rovers next season.

Bowyer was impressed by Feeney’s application and performances in training.

And the Ewood boss admits he would have given the former Bournemouth winger more of a run had it not been for Craig Conway’s continued outstanding form and Josh King’s end-of-season resurgence.

Feeney will be a free agent once his contract with Millwall expires next month and Bowyer could be interested in signing him on a free transfer.

“Liam came to us when we needed some pace and he’s made one or two telling contributions,” said Bowyer.

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“But unfortunately for Liam, Kingy came back quicker than what we first possibly thought and Craig Conway was playing ever so well so he found it difficult to get in ahead of them.

“But as a person he didn’t have a problem with that, he stuck at it and worked ever so hard in training.

“And we could see he possesses some quality, that’s for sure.

“So it is one where we’ll just have to see what happens with Liam in the summer.”

Bowyer’s main summer targets are expected to be defenders but Feeney’s pace – something which Rovers do not have in abundance – and his ability to play on both wings could make him an attractive and affordable proposition.

Bowyer is already busy putting his recruitment plans in place but it is unlikely any deals will be done until he has flown out to India to meet Rovers owners Venky’s.

At the planned meeting, which could take place next week, Bowyer expects to discover what his budget will be for next season and it is only then that he will know which players on his shortlist fall within his price range.

The Rovers boss signed 19 players, either permanently or on loan, last season as he completely overhauled his squad.

But the 42-year-old, who guided his side to within two points of the play-offs in his first full campaign in charge, does not intend to be anywhere near as busy in bringing in new players this summer.