Jan Paul van Hecke looks set to see out the remainder of his loan spell at Ewood Park.

Rovers agreed a season-long loan deal with Brighton for the Dutchman, but injuries and the prospect of stockpiling players due to rising Covid numbers had led to concerns that the Seagulls may recall him in January.

Brighton boss Graham Potter had floated the idea, something Tony Mowbray said he would have understood in the circumstances, but all signs point to the 21-year-old seeing out the remainder of his loan spell.

The same is set to go for fellow Brighton loanee Reda Khadra who has scored three goals and contributed one assist in his last five starts.

It will be a boost to Mowbray who is keen to, at the very least, keep together the group of players who have helped Rovers into the top six.

Despite injury to captain Lewis Dunk and a mixed run of results, Brighton aren’t currently looking at strengthening in central defence, nor recalling players from their current loan spells, with Leo Ostigard (Stoke City) and Matt Clarke (West Brom) defenders also plying their trade in the Championship.

Rovers have used the loan market to add central defensive options in recent seasons, with van Hecke following Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Jarrad Branthwaite and Tosin Adarabioyo.

He has started four consecutive matches, helping Rovers to four consecutive wins and clean sheets, including a first goal for the club in the win at Bournemouth.

That came after serving a three-match suspension following a red card in the defeat to Fulham, a show of strength from the defender who has become a popular figure around the club.

He played a key role in the opening goal in the victory over Birmingham City and his performances in the centre of the back three have kept the more experienced Daniel Ayala out of the side.