Blackburn Rovers round-up: Tayo Edun heading for Ewood Park exit

TAYO’S TIME IS ALMOST (E)DUN

Tayo Edun is to leave Rovers this summer when a suitable offer is made.

The left back hasn’t travelled with the squad to Austria with his time at the club coming to an end.

That comes as the 25-year-old didn’t feature in the opening pre-season friendly at Accrington Stanley.

Edun is one of the players made available for a move by Rovers, with right back James Brown having already secured a switch to Ross County.

The left back, who has also operated in midfield during his 34 appearances for Rovers, has a year left to run on his contract, though an option to extend was included in the deal that saw him join from Lincoln City for around £400,000 in August 2021.

Edun’s last appearance for Rovers was on January 31, while he hasn’t been in a matchday squad since February having failed to oust Harry Pickering as Rovers’ left back option since his arrival at the club.

“He’s not involved and he’s one of the players who will be going away,” Jon Dahl Tomasson said.

“At the moment he doesn’t have that option, I think we will see a lot of movement in the next weeks in that way.”

Jalil Saadi and Jared Harlock, regulars for the Under-21s but still to make their senior debuts, are among those who are also set to leave the club this summer.

 

AUSTRIA ADJUSTMENTS

Rovers have announced a change of kick-off time for their friendly double header with TSV Hartberg next weekend.

The Austrian Bundesliga side will play host to Rovers at the Profertil Arena on Saturday, July 15 in two separate 90-minute matches.

They will be played at 10.30am and 1pm local time before the squad return to the UK. Entry to the games will be free of charge.

Those kick-off times have been brought forward from 11am and 2pm respectively.

Rovers have also announced details of their open training session for any supporters making the trip to Austria.

That will take place on Friday, July 14 from 10.45am until noon at the Parktherme Arena, FC Bad Radkersburg.

The club said: “Rovers would like to wish supporters safe travels to Austria and we thank you for your dedicated support.”

 

DOWLING IS FOR KEEPS

Aidan Dowling has joined Northern Irish side Larne FC following his release by Rovers.

The 20-year-old left Rovers after his two-year professional deal came to an end in the summer.

Dowling had previously spent time on loan at Marine FC, Lancaster City and Halifax Town but left Rovers without making a senior appearance.

He spent time on trial with the Irish side before his move was confirmed, one he described as a ‘no brainer’.

Dowling will provide competition to No.1 Rohan Ferguson ahead of their Champions League qualification game against Finnish outfit HJK Helsinki on Wednesday.

Boss Tiernan Lynch said: “Aidn has spent a few weeks with us now and that gave us a chance to see what he would bring to the group,” he said. “He is another player who has been used to the professional environment since he was young and he knows the standards we set as a group and he sets individually.

“It’s another piece in the jigsaw that we are building for both Europe and our league season and we are very pleased to officially bring Aidan to the club.”

 

CARSLEY IN CONTRACT TALKS

Lee Carsley will be offered a new contract to remain as England Under-21s manager following their European Championships success.

Carsley is said to have held talks over his future with FA technical director John McDermott during the tournament in Georgia which the Young Lions came out victorious in.

He is to be formally offered a new deal later this month, with Carsley currently on a rolling 12-month deal.

The former Rovers midfielder is thought to be on the radar of Republic of Ireland, with England looking to tie him down to a new contract to fend off any potential interest.

Carsley has been part of the FA set-up since being appointed as Under-20s coach in 2020 and stepped up to replace Aidy Boothroyd as Under-21s boss two years ago.

TEAD-Y HAND

Former Rovers favourite Jon Stead has been named as first-team coach at Barnsley.

The 40-year-old will work alongside Neil Collins who was appointed as the new manager at Oakwell earlier this week.

The ex- striker has worked with Collins at Tampa Bay Rowdies since the start of 2022 and returns to England with Collins who will replace Michael Duff at the helm of Barnsley who were beaten in the League One play-off final.

Stead, who scored eight goals in 40 appearances for Rovers, said: “I am extremely excited to be joining Barnsley Football Club. To continue to work with Neill was very important to me so this is the perfect opportunity for me and my family

“I know the club well, I grew up less than 15 miles from Oakwell and my youngest daughter was born in Barnsley, so I understand the club’s importance to the people of Barnsley and the community. I’m thoroughly looking forward to getting to work.”

Rovers were due to be playing Barnsley in a friendly later this month, but the game will now be played behind closed doors at an alternative venue with the League One’s side pitch not ready to host the fixture that had been scheduled for Saturday, July 22.