The arrival of Sorba Thomas has cast doubt over Dilan Markanday's immediate future ahead of Tuesday’s transfer deadline.

Markanday won’t feature in today’s FA Cup tie having not overcome the knock that saw him miss last weekend’s draw at Bristol City.

And there is a chance that the 21-year-old could be allowed to move on loan for the remainder of the season before the January 31 11pm deadline.

Markanday stated earlier in the window that his intention was to compete for his spot in Jon Dahl Tomasson’s squad, and that could remain the case.

The head coach has seen improvement in Markanday throughout the season, enough to hand him a first Championship appearance against Rotherham United earlier this month.

All of Markanday’s appearances before that had come in the  cup competitions, which included scoring in the Carabao Cup wins over Hartlepool United and Bradford City.

Yet the arrival of Thomas, a right winger by trade, has added further competition in the forward areas which could see Markanday leave on loan.

“You know he’s been improving a lot this season, coming from far, after being injured for six months,” Tomasson told the Lancashire Telegraph.

“His journey has been good.

“Is it enough in the Championship when you have another player in that position is another question.

“He’s a player we believe in for the future.

“Let’s wait and see if he’s going out of the building, I can’t give you an honest answer on that at the minute.”

Markanday signed for Rovers last January on a long-term deal for around £500,000 from Tottenham Hotspur.

He sustained a serious hamstring injury on his debut at Hull City and didn’t appear again until the final day of the 2021/22 season.

Since Tomasson’s appointment, he has had to be patient for opportunities and featured regularly for the Under-21s in the first half of the season.

He got his opportunities in the Carabao Cup ties and was in just two Championship squads before being an unused substitute in all three games over the festive period.

Markanday then started the FA Cup tie at Norwich City on January 8 and was brought on for the final quarter of the 4-0 defeat at Rotherham United the following week.

Scottish Premiership side Motherwell were linked with a loan move for Markanday earlier in the window.