Blackburn Rovers have no plans to loan Connor O'Riordan out and expect him to be part of their squad for next season.

The young defender signed from Crewe Alexandra in the January transfer window but didn't start a match before the season ended. 

O'Riordan made two substitute appearances early in Eustace's reign but then had to watch from the sidelines. The later additions of Kyle McFadzean and Billy Koumetio, plus Hayden Carter's return from injury, pushed him down the pecking order.

However, despite reports, The Lancashire Telegraph understands John Eustace has no plans to send the 21-year-old out next campaign. O'Riordan was a long-term signing made by the club, having tracked him for over six months before finally sealing the deal.

READ MORE: Rovers dressing room make feelings clear on Eustace 

Koumetio will return to Liverpool at the end of his loan and the long-term injury to Scott Wharton means O'Riordan will get the chance to impress in pre-season. 

Given Rovers' season quickly turned from mid-table to a relegation battle, more experienced players were preferred. That is understandable, though, in hindsight, O'Riordan's development would have been much better served if he had stayed at Crewe for the remainder of the campaign.

It was viewed that a fight to stay up was not the right opportunity to blood in a younger defender, making a two-division leap.

Speaking back in March, Eustace said: "The club wouldn't have signed him if they didn't think he could have a big future. 

"I've seen enough in training in the last three or four weeks to say he's a very talented young player with a big future.

"We have to protect some of the younger players in terms of the time of the season and where we are at. It's important we don't put too much pressure on them to come in and perform. 

"It doesn't matter how old they are or where they have come from. The club have done their homework on the players and I believe Connor will have a big future at this club. There is no rush for that to happen."

Kyle McFadzean could sign a new deal at the club with both Eustace and the player stating they wanted that to happen. That would leave Dom Hyam, Hayden Carter, O'Riordan and McFadzean as options for next season with the possibility of adding another in the transfer market.