Paul Downing holds the cards when it comes to a possible January move away from Rovers.

The defender has just six months to run on his deal at Ewood Park and has interest from at least one League One club.

The 27-year-old has made just three Championship appearances for Rovers this season, and has regularly failed to make the matchday squad.

Tony Mowbray has praised the professionalism of Downing, who signed from MK Dons last January after a productive loan spell.

And after playing a key role in helping Rovers win promotion back to the Championship, the boss won’t be forcing Downing out of the door.

Asked if he was still part of the plans, Mowbray said: “He was one of the centre halves that was unavailable.

“I’m not in any rush to push Paul out of the door. Ultimately that decision will come down to him. What he has done for our football club since he’s been here has been exceptional, given that we signed him at the last minute of the transfer window.

“To see us through the League One campaign as he did, and he’s started three games this year, he just gets on with his job, works hard and I’m no rush.

“But if something that’s right for Paul comes up and he knocks on my door then we will listen to that.”

Meanwhile, Travis and Joe Nuttall have made a big impression on the first team stage this month and are set to stay at Ewood Park rather than be loaned out this month.

Both were expected to leave in the January window but Travis has started five consecutive matches while Nuttall, a scorer in last weekend’s win at Millwall, has been integrated back in to the first team fold of late, after nine goals in five games for the Under-23 side.

Rovers young players, goalkeeper Ollie Byrne, full back Sam Hart, midfielder Brad Lyons and striker Lewis Mansell, have already sealed loan exits.

Lewis Hardcastle, recalled from his spell at League Two side Port Vale earlier this month, and utility-man Charley Doyle, are among those within Damien Johnson’s Under-23s side to be courting interest.

Willem Tomlinson is still expected to leave the club this month, with just six months of his current deal left to run, despite an outing for the Under-23s earlier this week.

Johnson expects further movement within his squad, and Mowbray revealed there is no shortage of interest in the club’s young players.

The boss said: “There are a lot of clubs asking about our young players.

“I’m not talking about Travis and Nuttall, because I’ve spoken about them and at this moment in time they are staying with our group.

“But there are some clubs in League Two asking about a couple of our young players.

“There’s potential for those to happen.”