Yasin Ayari has not ruled out a return to Rovers next season following a spell on loan from Premier League Brighton.

Ayari arrived in East Lancashire during the January window after spending the first half of the campaign at Coventry.

The 20-year-old went on to make 13 appearances for Rovers as John Eustace’s side preserved their Championship status following victory against champions Leicester on the final day.

He showed glimpses of his ability at Ewood Park and produced arguably his best performance in a blue and white shirt against former club Coventry, coming off the bench and dictating the game, albeit against 10 men.

Ayari is not yet sure what his next step will be but is eager to get as much time on the pitch as possible as he continues his development.

He told Expressen in an interview translated from Swedish: “It was a good loan. I didn't get to play as much as I wanted but every time I got to jump in, I did well and they appreciated what I did.

“I spoke to the coach before I left and he wants me back there, but we will see what happens.

“I think it is time for me to play and develop even more, that is the most important thing.”

Jon Dahl Tomasson brought Ayari to Rovers before his time in the hot seat came to an end a month later.

Tomasson is now in charge of the Swedish national team and has promoted the Brighton youngster from the Under-21 squad, with some of his other options unavailable.

As the Lancashire Telegraph went to print, Sweden were set to face Denmark in a friendly. They also have a fixture against Serbia this weekend.

Ayari added: “I just want to enjoy the moment, I don't expect to play very much. I want to learn from all the great players who are here.

“It has been up and down, hard to (progress). But it has been instructive - you learn a lot, not only on the pitch but off it as well.”

While the midfielder did not get to spend much time with Tomasson at Rovers, he admires how the Dane wants his teams to play.

“We didn't have time to create any special relationship, but the time I was with him there was good,” Ayari continued.

“We had good conversations and I like the way he wants to play football. It was a shame that just when I was about to start playing, he left. It was a restart.”

Ayari was one of five loan players at Rovers last term along with James Hill, Andrew Moran, Ben Chrisene and Billy Koumetio.

Hill became an important figure in the backline during the first half of the campaign before he was recalled by parent club Bournemouth. Moran spent the full season in East Lancashire, making 42 appearances in all competitions and earning his first call-up to the Irish senior squad.