"Surprised" - Cautious Blackburn Rovers reaction emerges amid Newcastle United player link | OneFootball

Harrison Ashby is a late transfer target for Blackburn Rovers

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Blackburn Rovers have been cautioned over their pursuit of Newcastle United's Harrison Ashby, who appears poised to complete a loan return to the Championship for the 2024/25 campaign.

Ashby, who spent the previous season on loan in the second-tier with Swansea City, is reportedly of interest to Blackburn alongside Championship rivals QPR and Stoke City according to a recent report from The Sun's Alan Nixon, via his exclusive Patreon service.

Akin to many clubs across the division at this stage of the transfer window, Blackburn are undertaking a hectic week of activity. They are believed to be advancing on a potential deal for Brighton and Hove Albion's highly-rated young winger Amario Cozier-Duberry and Todd Cantwell is closing in on a move to Ewood Park too, while goalkeeper Balazs Toth is set to have a medical with the club ahead of his impending switch as per reports.

Blackburn Rovers handed Harrison Ashby transfer caution

There is optimism surrounding Blackburn's potential incomings before tomorrow evening's 11pm deadline, although they have been warned about striking a deal for Ashby before completing new acquisitions in positions believed to be more pressing.

Ashby operates at right-back and, according to Football League World's resident Rovers fan pundit Toby Wilding, it is not an area of the pitch which requires desperate reinforcement for the club.

"Yeah, I think surprised is the right word to describe these links - that's definitely my first reaction when I saw them," Toby said of Blackburn's interest in Ashby to Football League World.

"Certainly, I don't think Harrison Ashby is a bad player and I don't think it would be a bad option for Blackburn. I just don't think another right-back needs to be prioritised at the minute, certainly in comparison to other positions.

"We're still crying out for a goalkeeper, Eustace has made it clear he still wants a pacey winger and also a central midfielder.

"So I think there's a lot to be done before we should start thinking about the right-back position, where we have a solid first-choice option in Callum Brittain and a really promising youngster in Leo Duru who has shown up really well in his two Carabao Cup games this season, plus other options who can slot into that position if neccesary such as Joe Rankin-Costello, Hayden Carter and Lewis Travis.

"As I say, while Ashby wouldn't be a bad signing in terms of quality, in terms of position I don't think it's one that Blackburn necessarily need to be looking at until they've got a few other signings completed in other areas that need to be reinforced more."

Blackburn Rovers should cool interest in Newcastle United's Harrison Ashby

Still only 22 years of age, Ashby was signed by Newcastle from West Ham United in January 2023 and was billed as an exciting long-term investment for Eddie Howe's side, but he is yet to come close to realising that potential just yet.

He made little impact on loan at Swansea last season and was plagued by injury for large parts too, while Blackburn are already well-stocked enough at right-back to afford to steer clear of brokering a late swoop for the player.

At his age, Ashby perhaps has much to offer but Blackburn simply does not feel the best place for him to show that.