Blackburn Rovers re-ignite interest in Nottingham Forest man after 2023 transfer saga | OneFootball

Blackburn are hoping second time's a charm in their pursuit of Lewis O'Brien

After a failed move around two years ago caused anguish to the Ewood Park faithful, Blackburn Rovers are about to renew their efforts to finally try and land Lewis O'Brien.

That's according to Alan Nixon, who claims that Rovers have asked about the possibility of taking the 26-year-old midfielder on loan for the rest of the season, although his wages could prove a huge stumbling block.

O'Brien is something of a forgotten man at the City Ground, as his move to Forest never truly materialised in the way he would've hoped, and he could now drop back into the Championship after spending time on loan at Los Angeles FC in the MLS.

Despite his distinct lack of football, O'Brien could still be a true asset to Rovers at Championship level as John Eustace looks to bolster his squad ahead of the promotion run in.

Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Oxford certainly exposed some chinks in their armoury, and Eustace will be keen to ensure that was nothing more than an off day by strengthening his ranks before the February 3 transfer deadline.

Blackburn Rovers keen on Lewis O'Brien deal after 2023 deadline day saga

One department Rovers certainly lack in as opposed to their promotion rivals is experience of getting over the line, as they've historically been a club who've always fallen away.

Although O'Brien himself has never actually been promoted, as he joined Forest after they'd beaten Huddersfield in the play-off final, O'Brien was a key member of the Terriers side who got into the top six.

Getting into the top six is something Rovers have come close to on many occasions since they've come down from the Premier League but never actually done, so it's easy to see why Eustace is keen to recruit a man who knows what it takes and has played at the top level.

Rovers' latest bid to sign O'Brien comes two years after a deadline day fiasco saw them miss out on signing him due to filing some late paperwork, in a saga that dragged on for weeks before all of Blackburn's appeals failed.

They could run into another stumbling block here, according to Nixon, and this time it comes in the fact that Forest want Blackburn to pay most of O'Brien's reported £40,000 per week wages.

John Eustace may need to strengthen midfield department ASAP after Sondre Tronstad injury

Rovers boss Eustace has clearly identified midfield as a problem area for his side this month, as he's already dipped into the market once to sign Adam Forshaw.

His midfield headache hasn't been helped by an injury to captain Lewis Travis, and he'll be acutely aware that the club can't wait around on his return or they risk dropping too many valuable points.

Not only that though, but Sondre Tronstad also suffered an injury against Oxford this weekend, with the Norwegian picking up a hamstring problem which will only add to Eustace's engine room woes.

Whilst Tronstad's prognosis is not yet known, Travis should be back in the early stages of February, but even when he does return, O'Brien's potential arrival would create huge competition for places, and that can only be deemed a good thing for a side without the riches of many of their rivals.