Young Rovers' star Adam Henley has signed a new deal with the club.

Henley, 17, has put pen to paper on a two-and-a-half-year professional contract.

Manager Steve Kean said: "Adam has shown great ability and maturity to emerge as a key member of the senior squad, particularly in recent weeks.

"We are delighted that he has signed professional terms with us and believe he can go on to have a very bright future."

Henley made a heroic last-minute clearance at Anfield on Boxing Day to help earn Rovers a point against Liverpool on what was his full Barclays Premier League debut.

A regular youth international with Wales, he was part of the Rovers squad for the summer Asia Trophy in Hong Kong and has since figured in first team action at Wigan and Sunderland.

He is expected to keep his place at Old Trafford tomorrow when Rovers tackle champions Manchester United, but has yet to feature in a senior match at Ewood Park.

Meanwhile, Rovers have nine players on the sidelines for the trip to United, manager Kean adding: "It doesn't get any tougher than Manchester United away, particularly given their recent form - two successive 5-0 wins.

"We have got to take encouragement from Liverpool and if we can maintain defensive discipline then we are always in with a chance because we have scored in every Premier League away game this season."