Blackburn Rovers could be set to allow goalkeeper Aynsley Pears to leave Ewood Park on loan this summer but they would need to bring in a replacement, according to The Sun journalist Alan Nixon.

Pears only arrived at Blackburn last summer from Middlesbrough, and the keeper was aiming to battle with Thomas Kaminski for the club’s number one position in the Championship.

However, the form of the Kaminski kept him out of the side all season, barring a run of three matches against Reading, Swansea City and Boro in October and November when the Belgian was injured.

He, therefore, had to settle for the role of backup at Blackburn despite having moved to try and get more first-team minutes.

It is now being reported by Alan Nixon that Blackburn are going to be willing to allow the keeper to leave the club temporarily in the summer. However, it is believed that Rovers would not sanction a move until they have brought in someone to replace him as their backup to Kaminski.

 

 

Tony Mowbray had suggested back in October that Blackburn need to have patience with Pears and allow him to gel with the rest of the squad following his move from Middlesbrough. It now seems like they are willing for him to go now to get minutes under his belt next term.

The Verdict

This seems like a very sensible approach by Blackburn to Pears’ situation, the keeper is obviously a player that is itching to play games and he is going to struggle to oust Kaminski as Rovers’ first-choice stopper in the near future. Therefore, it does make sense for him to go out on loan and get some confidence next season.

Pears is a player with potential and he could well further down the line establish himself as Rovers’ number one keeper. Kaminski’s form if it continues might well see him attract interest from elsewhere further down the line and that is when Mowbray could re-introduce Pears to the side.

However, Blackburn are right to first ensure that they will have enough cover in the goalkeeping department before they do sanction any potential loan deal for him. It will be interesting to see who Mowbray looks to bring into the club to provide that backup option.