Blackburn Rovers Director of Football Gregg Broughton says an agreement is still in place for the club to complete the signing of midfielder Ethan Brierley from Rochdale.

Brierley had been due to join the Championship club on the final day of the January transfer window, but a late submission of paperwork means the 19-year-old's registration has been blocked by the EFL.

It has already been confirmed that Rovers will appeal the decision to block those signings, with Lewis O'Brien having also seen a loan move from Nottingham Forest blocked for similar reasons.

Now though, it seems there is a belief around Ewood Park, that even if the appeal against the decision made by the Football League is unsuccessful, Brierley will still become a Blackburn player eventually.

Speaking in an interview with Blackburn's TV channel about the situation surrounding Brierley (5:55), Broughton said: "With Rochdale it's a little bit different, because that was a permanent transfer, and we've agreed that that transfer will definitely go through, regardless of the appeal.

"It will have to be postponed until the summer, but everything can be done in advance of that, especially for a club like Rochdale, where every penny is absolutely vital, we have to ensure that the future of a vital member of the Football League is protected. We owe them that."

Brierley, who has made 31 senior appearances for Rochdale to date, had been on trial with Sheffield United earlier in January, only for an embargo to end their chances of doing a deal for the midfielder.

The Verdict

This does at least provide some relief with regards to this situation for those of a Blackburn persuasion.

The fact that Brierley already had that interest from Sheffield United highlights the level of attention he is attracting, from the level Blackburn are currently playing at.

As a result, there may have been some concern that by not signing him in January, they risked missing out on a long term asset such as the midfielder, once the window reopens in the summer.

However, it seems that is not the case judging by Broughton's comments here, and you do have to admire the fact that even with the difficult position he and Blackburn are in, he is still considering the importance of providing funds to other club such as Rochdale who might need them.