Paul Downing seemingly has the pick of the League One beaten play-off semi-finalists, with Portsmouth joining Doncaster in eyeing his signature.

The central defender will leave Rovers this summer after two years at Ewood Park after the club opted against offering him a new deal.

Downing finished the season with Doncaster, playing 22 times for Grant McCann’s side after joining in January.

Rovers suffered defeat in the play-off semi-final and have since seen Andy Butler leave for Scunthorpe.

They have made clear their intention to sign Downing on a permanent deal when he becomes a free agent, but they will face competition.

The 27-year-old was a target for Portsmouth in January, before making his move to the Keepmoat Stadium, and Kenny Jackett could look to reignite that interest.

The Fratton Park club, beaten by Sunderland in the play-offs, are set to lose star defender Matt Clarke, with Premier League side Brighton, and Championship outfit Stoke, in the running for his signature.

Downing could be the man Jackett turns to as a possible replacement, with the player currently away on holiday and likely to weigh up his options.

Interest is likely to be higher in the player who won promotion from League One with Rovers in 2017/18 and twice lost in the play-offs with Walsall and Doncaster.

He played 30 times for Rovers as they made sure their Championship return, his move from MK Dons made permanent in January 2018 after an initial loan spell.

But he played just four times for Rovers last season before allowed to leave on loan in January.