CHRIS Taylor is set to follow in the footsteps of Darragh Lenihan and commit his future to Blackburn Rovers.

Lenihan has signed a one-year contract and it is understood that Taylor is also ready to end speculation over where he will be playing his football next season by penning a new deal.

MORE TOP STORIES:

Keeping hold of the midfield duo would be a big boost to Rovers boss Gary Bowyer after Tom Cairney was sold to Fulham and Josh King turned down a new contract to sign for Bournemouth.

Taylor has been the subject of interest from Championship rivals Rotherham United.

But the 28-year-old, who is a hugely popular figure among his team-mates, returned to training on Tuesday despite not having agreed fresh terms.

Lenihan did too and, after lengthy discussions between his representative and the club, he put pen to paper yesterday morning.

The 21-year-old broke through into Bowyer’s senior side at the back end of last season and impressed coming off the bench in the 2-0 home win over Millwall and from the start in the 2-2 draw at Huddersfield Town and in the 3-2 home victory over Ipswich Town.

Lenihan, who suffered serious injuries early on in his Rovers career, is considered a fully fledged first-team member.

Lancashire Telegraph:

And now the Academy graduate is determined to become a regular in Bowyer’s starting line-up.

“It’s taken a while but I’m very pleased to get my contract signed and sealed and I’m looking forward to the season ahead,” said Lenihan who, as he proved in the final three games of the 2014-15 campaign, can also cover at centre-back.

“It’s a massive season for me. For playing games and to make the break into the first team, I think this is the main season for me.

“I just need to work hard in pre-season and see where it takes me. If I do well in training, then hopefully the manager will pick me.

“This is my fifth season and I feel ready to make myself an established player here.

“The fans have been great over the past few years and I’ve experienced some tough times, but now I’m ready to put those times behind me and put the good times ahead.”

Lenihan is not considered an ‘established’ player under the rules of Rovers’ embargo for failing Financial Fair Play as he is yet to make five first-team starts.

Taylor is, though, and if he does sign a new contract, that will take the amount of ‘established’ players in Bowyer’s squad back up to 19 after midfielder Josh Morris completed his permanent move to Bradford City yesterday.

Rovers, who are still trying to move on transfer-listed striker Leon Best, can have a maximum of 24 established players on their books.

That means they currently have space for five free transfer or loan signings.

Bowyer, who is working behind the scenes with his recruitment team in a bid to bolster the ranks, had previously warned of the need to keep a couple of spaces free to be used throughout the campaign in case of emergencies.

But with Cairney and Morris gone, he now has more room for manoeuvre, and he would like to make his first additions of the summer before Rovers head to Portugal on Monday week for a warm-weather training camp.

Bowyer would be interested in Rudy Austin.

But, as things stand, it is understood the in-demand former Leeds United midfielder is holding out for more than the maximum £10,000 per week contract Rovers could offer him.