Rovers had January interest, as well as last summer, in Manchester United midfielder James Garner.

That’s according to his agent Steve Beck who says Rovers looked at the 20-year-old as he became available once again in the winter window when moving on from Watford.

Garner had been a player Rovers had tracked last summer, made available for loan by the Premier League side, but in the end, the midfielder opted for Watford, and Rovers later brought in Tom Trybull from Norwich City.

He played against Rovers as one of his 20 appearances for Watford in the first half of the season, and then again for current club Nottingham Forest in their 1-0 win at the City Ground in February.

And it is there where Garner is winning rave reviews for his displays, scoring twice in 13 appearances in the middle of the park for Chris Hughton's side.

The additions of Jarrad Branthwaite and Taylor Harwood-Bellis took Rovers’ number of loan players to five in January, and with that the maximum allowed in a matchday squad, all but ended the prospect of bringing any more in.

However, Garner’s availability did bring interest, according to his agent, while there were also links to another Man United youngster, Dylan Levitt, as he became available after leaving Charlton Athletic.

Beck told Stretty News: “When the opportunity came for him to leave Watford, there was Nottingham Forest, Blackburn, Rangers and there were a few other clubs coming in for him at that point. James was reluctant to leave Watford, he wanted to stay and prove he was good enough.

“It was like ‘but I have to advise that I know they’re looking for another midfielder and I don’t want the door to shut and you’re still here and you don’t play.’

“So it was more me saying ‘trust me on this one, I think this will be a better club for you. I know what Watford are doing’.”

Garner has already played twice for United in the Premier League, and Beck hopes to start discussions over a new contract for his client shortly.

He feels that a crack at the first team next season may be too soon, which could lead to Garner being available once again, and with the loan market set to be even more viable to Championship clubs, he’s unlikely to be short of offers again.

Mowbray has already suggseted that could well be a route Rovers go down, and a market he has had success in with recent signings.

Beck added: “Third loan? I honestly don’t know.

“I’m so relaxed on the situation, as is James because things are going so well for him. James has put himself in a great position where he’s probably going to have, if he does go out on loan again, the majority of the Championship and I would be amazed if one or two Premier League clubs don’t try and do something.”