Bristol Rovers miss out on Drogheda United target who looks set for Blackburn Rovers

Bristol Rovers look to have missed out on Drogheda United full-back James Brown with the defender set to join Blackburn Rovers.

The 23-year-old spent a two-week trial with Joey Barton’s side in November but is now preparing to sign a permanent deal with the Championship club.

Brown also attracted interest from The Drog’s League of Ireland rivals St Patrick’s Athletic, Dundalk and Bohemians but is now set to make a permanent switch to the North West after impressing during a short trial with Blackburn.

The full-back helped Drogheda to promotion into the first division in 2020 and scored in a 2-0 win against Cabinteely to secure their elevation into the top flight.

Brown made 34 appearances as his side secured a seventh placed finish in their first season back in the Premier Division and that captured the attention of scouts in his home country and in England.

Brown spent a three-day trial with Blackburn last month and is now set to be handed an extended opportunity to impress at Ewood Park.

Speaking after their New Year’s Day draw with Huddersfield Town, Rovers boss Tony Mowbray told the Lancashire Telegraph: “He’s coming to compete to try and see if he can be a professional footballer at this level.

“He’s a right back and from comments I’ve heard an outstanding right back.

“He came to train for three days and didn’t look out of place in our first-team training.

“He’s been very good in the Irish league. For me he’s coming in to play some Under-23s football, young Pike has gone out on loan to Fylde and he can fit in and we’ll see where he is in six months time.

“I see that as a no-brainer on what I saw in three days.”