The Rovers players return to pre-season testing today – with the appointment of a new head coach set to not be far behind.

Rovers finished their interview process last week, with evaluations and the preferred candidate sent to the owners for their approval.

That is understood to have now been rubber-stamped by Venky’s with an appointment set to be imminent.

Jon Dahl Tomasson, out of work since leaving Malmo in January, emerged as the leading contender for the role last weekend.

The 45-year-old guided Malmo to back-to-back Swedish league titles, but took the decision to leave in January after two years in charge.

Reports in Tomasson’s homeland Denmark say the former Newcastle United striker has been offered a three-year deal by Rovers.

Official contracts are understood to have been drawn up and in the process of being finalised, with an appointment then to be confirmed.

Tomasson would need to acquire a work permit, however, it is understood that should be a straightforward process and not bring any particular delay which could see him able to lead training in the coming days.

Rovers haven’t commented publicly on their search for a manager since confirming the departure of Tony Mowbray, but with the players now back at Brockhall, the expectation is that an appointment will be finalised shortly.

That will bring an end to Rovers’ month-long search, ahead of pre-season beginning fully on June 20, with the squad due to spend time away from their Brockhall training base ahead of the first friendly at Accrington Stanley on July 9.

Interviews with at least eight candidates were held over a 10-day period last month, that number extended from an original five due to late interest in the job.

There were then at least three more candidates interviewed, with Rovers now seemingly closer to pushing forward with their search for Mowbray’s replacement.

Rovers’ upcoming appointment will be the eighth of Venky’s tenure, and first since Mowbray took charge in February 2017.

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