George Hirst’s loan at Ewood Park

[Mendi]

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/23225349.george-hirst-update-blackburn-rovers-eye-attacking-move/

 

 

Rovers are in discussions over the future of George Hirst’s loan at Ewood Park.

The striker joined on a season-long loan deal from Leicester City in August after signing a contract extension with his parent club. That loan deal included an option to buy, with no break clause in January.

Hirst has endured a difficult time of things, making only two league starts and failing to find the back of the net.

He didn’t make the match day squad for the New Year’s Day win over Cardiff City, which Jon Dahl Tomasson put down to illness.

Recommended by

 

Stay protected while connectedBitdefender Antivirus | Sponsored

 

 

The Lancashire Telegraph understands that Rovers cannot cut short the loan, but he could be recalled, therefore cancelling the permanent option within the deal, which would require the agreement of all parties.

The expectation currently is that Hirst would be recalled and then loaned elsewhere, having spent last season at League One side Portsmouth where he scored 14 goals, with chances at Rovers likely to be limited post-January.

 

Tomasson was tight-lipped over the future of his loan players, but did stress the importance of Rovers looking to refresh the squad in January.

Tyler Morton looks certain to stay at Ewood Park to see out the remainder of his season-long loan spell having featured in every Championship match since arriving at the club, with only Thomas Kaminski and Ben Brereton having played more minutes.

Liverpool have regularly monitored the 20-year-old, but his status within the first-team picture at Rovers, and Morton enjoying his time at Ewood Park, will see that one run until the end of the season.

The situation of Rovers’ other two loaners is a little more complex, however.

George Hirst and Clinton Mola arrived from Leicester City and Stuttgart respectively late into the summer window on loan for the remainder of the season.

Those included options for Rovers to make them permanent at the end of the season should they wish.

However, neither has found life easy at Ewood Park, with only 11 and six appearances respectively across the first weeks of the season.

Mola was handed a surprise start in the East Lancashire derby with Burnley, and played more than 80 minutes of the defeat to Preston North End off the bench, while Hirst has made only two Championship starts and saw an injury-time penalty saved in the October defeat at Cardiff City.

Neither made the match day squad against Cardiff, and while no update was provided on Mola’s availability, head coach Tomasson said illness ruled out Hirst as Jack Vale took his place in the squad.

Asked about the future of the loaners, Tomasson said: “In football you never know, it’s the same as when we spoke about Ben (Brereton) at the beginning that I can’t promise anything, in football everything is possible.

[ealingfox]

No doubt we're lining up a bumper new contract for him before sending him on yet another loan.

[ParkerPen]

Even Trevor Benjamin had one good season in the lower leagues.

[Tommy G]

What was he rumoured to be on? £10-15K a week? What a waste of money.

[lcfcsnow]

He's been awful at Leuven, Rotherham and Blackburn now. Release and let him find his level.

[Tuna]

He's nearly 24 as well, not exactly a young prospect either.

[Dames]

Said in the summer it was stupid to renew his contract and here we are.

 

He was never ever going to be good enough. 

[Fox92]

Just now, Dames said:

Said in the summer it was stupid to renew his contract and here we are.

 

He was never ever going to be good enough. 

We love giving out contracts. I swear there's no other club like it.

[Dames]

Just now, Fox92 said:

We love giving out contracts. I swear there's no other club like it.

Its Rudkin trying to be too clever. He really thought he was going to get us a couple million for a player thats 24 and never shown anything other than being average at League One level. 

 

It amazes me he's still in a role. Been dining out on rinsing Man Utd for years which isn't hard because their board are more incompetent than him. 

[lfu]

Cut the losses and let him join Pompey or Wednesday (if they'll even have him back) on a free transfer

[EastAnglianFox]

Crazy how a player can just stall, was he not the lad that was close to breaking all kinds of records at England youth level??