What Tony Mowbray has said about Blackburn Rovers star amid West Brom interest

Former West Bromwich Albion manager Tony Mowbray has insisted that Blackburn Rovers midfielder and reported Baggies transfer target Joe Rothwell is a future Premier League player.

The Manchester United academy graduate has become a key figure for Mowbray over the last four seasons since making the step up from League One outfit Oxford United to the Championship at Rovers. Rothwell has made more than 30 appearances every season since arriving and is currently enjoying a personal best campaign to date.

Now 27 years old, the former England youth international has missed just four matches all season and chipped in with three goals to go along with ten assists. This form and the fact the player's contract is expiring attracted offers, which were rejected, from Bournemouth in January and has now seen Albion linked with a free transfer this summer.

"Joe (Rothwell) is a very talented boy who can play in the Premier League," Mowbray told LancsLive after Saturday's 3-0 defeat against Bournemouth. "I wish him well; I had him in the office 15 minutes ago for a chat with him. I think Joe's talent deserves to play in the Premier League; we will see if he gets there."

Mowbray added: "I have enjoyed watching him play; he has really grown. He was a young kid from Oxford, and it took a while to get settled and find a position which allowed him to grow. He has time to go in his development, but I'm sure he can play in the Premier League."

Mowbray is in a similar situation to Rothwell, with the 58-year-old's contract also up in the summer and Saturday's visit to face Birmingham City at St Andrew's set to be the manager's last in charge of Rovers. It could also be the last for not only Rothwell but also club captain Darragh Lenihan,