BLACKBURN Rovers midfielder Tom Cairney is attracting interest from fellow Championship side Fulham.

Cairney has become a fans’ favourite at Ewood Park since joining Rovers in 2013, initially on loan from Hull City before converting that move into a permanent deal.

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The 24-year-old still has two years left on his contract but has gained admiration from elsewhere for his performances in a Rovers shirt.

The Lancashire Telegraph understands that Fulham have made contact with Rovers to declare their interest, as Kit Symons plans for his first full season as manager of the West London club.

Symons took charge of Fulham in September and guided the Cottagers away from relegation trouble to 17th in the final Championship table – although that was still eight places below Rovers.

Fulham are backed by billionaire Shahid Khan, who last year sanctioned the £11m signing of striker Ross McCormack from Leeds United.

Symons, who recalled loan midfielder Ryan Tunnicliffe from Rovers in January, said at the end of the season that the club would be prepared to spend again this summer - providing the money was used wisely to bring in the right players.

But he also admitted that Fulham must bear the Football League’s financial fair play rules in mind, as they adapt to life in the second tier following relegation from the Premier League a year ago.

Rovers have already fallen foul of those regulations and are currently under a transfer embargo, limiting their options this summer.

Cairney has been regarded as one of Rovers’ shining lights in midfield since moving to Ewood, a symbol of the young side that boss Gary Bowyer has been keen to develop into a team capable of achieving promotion to the Premier League.

They would be reluctant to part with such a promising talent, although they have previously admitted that every player has a price in the club’s current situation.

Rovers will need to sell players if they are to get their embargo lifted, with striker Rudy Gestede in demand after interest from newly promoted Watford.

Cairney has made 85 appearances in his two seasons with Rovers so far, scoring nine goals.