Rovers are closing to agreeing a first professional contract with one of the key men in their run to the FA Youth Cup semi-final.

Full back Dan Pike, who has also stepped up in to the Under-23s in the second half of the season, is set to become the third member of the Under-18s set-up to sign professional terms at the club.

He is set to follow in the footsteps of captain Isaac Whitehall and Jake Garrett who has missed much of the season through injury.

News of Pike’s contract talks come as Leeds, Brighton and now Liverpool have been linked with a move for winger Luke Brennan.

He has impressed, playing from the left flank, in the Youth Cup campaign that saw him net in the opening round win over Newport County, and the quarter-final success against Arsenal.

The 18-year-old has managed an impressive seven assists in 12 Under-18s league matches, and also been involved for the Under-23s on seven occasions.

Brennan has been with the club for over a decade, and was expected to be one of the players who would be offered professional terms. That process however, has been held up by the coronavirus shutdown which has brought an end to the Academy games programme.

Doubts over his future has since him linked with a move to Leeds United, by Football Insider, who say the Yorkshire club are looking to take advantage of his contract situation.

But Pike looks set to commit his future to the club, with a deal in place for the teenage full back.

The former Liverpool youngster is closing in on a decade at Rovers and has already played four times for Billy Barr’s Under-23s side.

The 18-year-old is set to be given more opportunities next season in a bid to push his way in to contention for a first-team spot.

The other players whose scholarships are coming to an end are Flavien Boyomo, Sam Burns, James Connolly, Jordan Eastham, Saadi, and Chanka Zimba.

Striker Zimba, who has been in and out of the side this season, spent time on trial with Sunderland in March, though no deal was forthcoming.

Rovers will also try and strike a deal with Manchester City for D’Margio Wright-Phillips, the star of their quarter-final win over Arsenal.