John Eustace has not ruled out a loan move for Harry Leonard in the January transfer window but insists no decisions have been made.
Blackburn Rovers are keen to sign a number nine in the New Year market which would leave them with a new addition, Yuki Ohashi, Makhtar Gueye and Leonard competing for one place up front.
The 21-year-old has only played around 10 minutes since coming back from injury after a long lay-off though has featured regularly for the Under-23s. Rovers have been rightly cautious to protect him but it feels he is now at the stage where he needs first-team action.
If Rovers sign a forward, a loan for Leonard would be logical and was a consideration last January too. Eustace will consider his situation, as well as the likes of Leo Duru next month and others on the cusp of the squad.
“I think we have to look at it for sure. Those that are on the fringes of the squad do need game time,” he said.
“We want them to come back next year and be part of the football club going forward. We will look at that and if we get any players in, where we might have to make space for them as well. It’s something we have to consider.
“Maybe, I am not going to say specifically we will be moving Harry on at the moment,” he added on Leonard specifically.
“He has been training very well, he played for the 23s and will still be involved on Saturday with us as well. It’s important to protect Harry and get him back to the levels we know he can do and I think he’s doing that.”
Rovers travel to Millwall on Saturday who remain managerless after Neil Harris’ sudden departure. David Livermore, his former assistant, will take the reigns at The Den.
It is a ground that is well-cliched for being a tricky ground to win at, though Rovers have tasted victory on their last two visits.
Eustace is expecting a pumped-up crowd following Harris’ exit and a similar gameplan if he remained in charge.
“I think David (Livermore) there was the assistant to Neil Harris so the players will be very up for the game, we know that.
“He will get them well prepared. He’s a great coach and he has been at the club a long time, we know that. It will be a difficult game but one we look forward to.
“If your attitude isn’t right, you will be in trouble. Their fans demand a certain style of football there and they want to win games nor do they care how they do it. That’s the beauty of Millwall.
“It wasn’t somewhere I particularly enjoyed going(laughs)! Every game is different as a player and a coach. You prepare, the players here know the league and the challenges.
“They’re very successful at home and a tough team to play against. But we have prepared well this week and we’re ready.”
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