Blackburn Rovers: Players say farewell as Phil Jones decision made

SORBA SIGNS OFF

Sorba Thomas joined Rovers on loan in January, and played 17 times in all.

He has now returned to Huddersfield Town having rediscovered his love for the game with Rovers.

The Wales international endured a disappointing first half of the season, having starred in the Terriers’ run to the play-off final last term.

He was Rovers’ sole January addition and started well, clocking up eight consecutive starts in which they won six times.

However, after the international break he started just twice more, including on the final day at Millwall, but was substituted at half time in both.

The only possibility of making Thomas’ deal a permanent one hinged on Huddersfield being relegated, and while that was a real threat when he joined Rovers in January, they launched a successful survival mission under Neil Warnock.

Upon his departure, Thomas wrote on social media: “I would like to say a massive thank you to all the players, fans and staff for welcoming me with open arms and helping me in finding the love for the game again which is a massive bonus I have got from being here.

“It wasn’t the ending we were expecting but there are big things coming for this squad and I wish everyone in the club and the fans all the very best for the future.

“I’m sure we will see each other soon.”

MORTON’S MESSAGE

Tyler Morton signed off from his Rovers loan spell with a message to supporters.

Morton’s time was cut short by injury after sustaining a fracture to his fifth metatarsal last month for which he has now undergone surgery.

He managed to clock up 46 appearances during his season-long stay however, including 30 Championship starts, having earned the trust of head coach Jon Dahl Tomasson.

Morton was the third Liverpool loanee in as many seasons to make the move to Ewood Park as the two clubs’ relationship continues to build.

During the course of the campaign the 20-year-old signed a new long-term contract with his boyhood club where he will be hoping to make an impression next term.

He was coming back into form, following Rovers’ switch to a midfield three, before injury struck in the draw at Preston North End where he played for 45 minutes with a fracture in his foot.

His focus is now on getting back fit so to be able to feature in pre-season for Liverpool, but not before thanking Rovers for their support during his time with the club.

He wrote on social media: “A season to remember and a massive thank you to the players, staff and fans who supported me throughout the season and those who welcomed me into this fantastic club.

“A great bunch of lads who I wish the very best to.

“Another proud season for myself and now to get myself fit and back to doing what I love.

“Thank you Rovers.”

MINUTES FOR MARKANDAY

Dilan Markanday made only a second appearance of his loan spell at Aberdeen.

It ended a three-month wait for some first-team action for the winger who made the move north of the border on deadline day in January.

He made his debut the following day, but had been an unused substitute ever since for Barry Robson’s side.

However, he was used off the bench for the final half an hour of the 0-0 draw with Hibernian at the weekend.

Markanday was allowed to leave on loan in January to further his development, but it hasn’t gone as planned in his struggle for minutes.

The 21-year-old, who joined from Tottenham Hotspur in January 2022 before sustaining a serious hamstring injury on his debut, spent time back at Rovers during the international break amid his struggles at Aberdeen.

GILSENAN GETS HIS CHANCE

Zak Gilsenan has earned the opportunity to contest a place in the Australia squad for next month’s Maurice Revello Tournament.

Gilsenan has been named as one of five ‘train-on-players’ who will compete for the 24th spot in head coach Tony Vidmar’s squad.

Australia will face Qatar (June 6), Togo (June 9) and Mexico (June 12) in the tournament, which was formally known as the Toulon tournament.

While usually for national teams’ Under-20 and Under-21 sides, players born between 2001 and 2004 can feature, with the tournament seen as preparation for the 2024 Olympics qualification.

Gilsenan finished the season in good form for Rovers Under-21s, with 20 appearances and three goals after overcoming a serious knee injury that kept him out for around a year.

The 20-year-old, a talented attacking midfielder who catches the eye with his close control and ability to run with the ball, scored in Rovers’ Premier League Cup defeat to Brentford B last week.

Gilsenan is out of contract at Ewood Park this summer, with his future to become clear when the club publish their retained list in the next week.

Head coach Vidmar said: “We are continually monitoring upwards of sixty players for this qualifying campaign and beyond.

“We’ve brought in some new faces for this tournament, as we look to trial some combinations and build depth within the program, because due the nature and timing of the qualifiers and finals, having options will be required.”

MAN UNITED MAKE JONES CALL

Phil Jones’ 12-year long stay at Manchester United looks to be coming to an end.

It has now been over 12 months since the 31-year-old last played for United in what has been an injury-hit time in the defender’s career.

He moved to Old Trafford from Rovers in 2011 and has since amassed 229 appearances for the club.

Jones has helped the club win the Premier League, FA Cup and Europa League and clocked up 27 caps for England in that time.

However, his deal runs out in the summer, and with United in the process of finalising their retained list, it is expected that Jones will be released.

He has started just 16 times since his last contract renewal in 2019 and wasn’t included in the Premier League 25-man squad for the 2022/23 campaign.

There is a 12-month option in his deal should United want to trigger it, but it is expected that won’t be triggered and Jones will be free to find a new club this summer.