ROVERS defender Scott Wharton has joined League Two side Lincoln City on loan until the end of the season.

It will be Wharton’s second spell away from Ewood Park having finished the 2016/17 campaign at Cambridge United.

He becomes the third Rovers player to leave the club on loan in this window following Sam Hart and Elliott Ward who joined Rochdale and MK Dons respectively.

Wharton has struggled for opportunities this season, not helped by an ankle injury picked up in pre-season.

His only outings this season have come in the cup competitions where he was sent off in the Checkatrade Trophy against Rochdale in November before featuring in the FA Cup draw with Crewe in December.

With Darragh Lenihan nearing a return to full fitness, and Charlie Mulgrew’s ankle injury only set to keep him out for 10 days, Rovers have allowed Wharton to join the Imps.

Lincoln are currently eighth in the table, one point outside of the play-off places with 17 games to go. He could make his debut in Saturday's home match with Swindon Town. 

Wharton however won’t be able to play in their Checkatrade Trophy semi-final tie with Chelsea Under-21s.

Outlining his plans to allow Wharton to leave on loan last week, Rovers boss Tony Mowbray said: “There has to be interest and there has in Scotty Wharton I would have to say.

“As I’ve talked to the boy our priorities have mainly been to ensure our club remains strong at this moment and not to empty the ranks in certain positions.

“We have to make sure the squad is right for every given Saturday but I think with Lenihan on the cusp of being ready again, the addition of Amari’i Bell and the flexibility of (Derrick) Williams I think can open that door for a left-sided central defender.

“That’s something we’re looking at, there have been some enquiries so we will chase that up and see if it is still on the agenda and particularly for the younger players, like Wharton, potentially him going to play 15 games between now and the end of the season will be more beneficial than sitting on the bench or in the stands watching the game.”