Rovers will this week confirm the signing of Drogheda United right back James Brown.

The 23-year-old has spent time on trial at Rovers as his deal with the League of Ireland side came to an end and will put pen to paper on a deal at Ewood Park.

St Patrick’s Athletic had looked to secure a deal with Brown but Rovers are set to secure his signature where he will initially join up with the Under-23s side.

Right back is a position Rovers are looking to recruit, with Ryan Nyambe out of contract in the summer and Joe Rankin-Costello struggling for fitness.

With Dan Pike having been allowed to join National League North side AFC Fylde for the remainder of the season, Brown will start the season with Rovers Under-23s, possibly making his debut in this week’s game with Manchester City.

Brown spent three days training with Rovers last month as his time with Drogheda, where he made 83 appearances, contributing two goals and 13 assists, drew to a close.

He started his career at Shelbourne, making 36 appearances in all, with the move to Rovers representing the next stage of his career.

While Rovers will still look to recruit a senior right back, first impressions and reports on Brown have been positive with the right back set to get an opportunity to earn an extended deal.

Of Brown, manager Tony Mowbray said: “He’s coming to compete to try and see if he can be a professional footballer at this level.

“He’s a right back and from comments I’ve heard an outstanding right back.

“He came to train for three days and didn’t look out of place in our first-team training.

“He’s been very good in the Irish league. For me he’s coming in to play some Under-23s football, young Pike has gone out on loan to Fylde and he can fit in and we’ll see where he is in six months time.

“I see that as a no-brainer on what I saw in three days.

“There’s lots of things ticking over behind.”