Rovers have been credited with interest in another young Northern Irish midfielder.

The club moved to sign Brad Lyons from Coleraine in August, with his initial loan deal set to be made permanent in January.

And now Rovers are said to have shown interest in Glenavon midfielder Mark Sykes, a current Northern Ireland Under-21 international.

Scottish side Hibernian and League Two side Port Vale are also reported to be interested, with the League Two side thought to have seen a bid rejected for the 21-year-old.

Box-to-box midfielder Sykes has enjoyed an excellent season for Glenavon who are currently third in the Premiership.

On Sykes’ future, boss Gary Hamilton told the Belfast Telegraph: “I can't comment on that, there have been a lot of clubs here watching him.

“Hibernian, Port Vale, Blackburn - I could rhyme them off. There have been loads of clubs watching.

“As of yet, we've only had one bid which was knocked back.”

Lyons initially spent time on trial last summer before signing, having impressed Rovers’ recruitment chief Stuart Harvey who watched him closely during his time with Coleraine.

So Rovers have close links to the Irish league, and given the positive impression made by 21-year-old Lyons, Sykes could be another potential addition to the ranks.