Valerien Ismael identifies Dom Hyam replacement as Blackburn Rovers enter free agent market

Add as preferred source on Google

Blackburn Rovers are on the hunt for a new centre-back, and Valerien Ismael has to work quickly over the international break to source one.

Dom Hyam joined Wrexham in the closing hours of deadline day, leaving the Lancashire outfit while he was in the final year of his contract.

It brought to an end a summer of change at Ewood Park, and one that saw several key players depart, including club captain Lewis Travis to Derby County.

Nevertheless, Valerien Ismael is not resting on his laurels and is quickly trying to resolve the current situation at Blackburn by turning his attention to the free agent market.

• READ MORE – Kenzo Goudmijn’s Derby County exit all but confirmed following UEFA update

Blackburn Rovers register interest in Craig Dawson after Dom Hyam exit

With Hyam gone, Rovers have lost a huge amount of experience in the heart of their defence, and it is vital that they replace this.

Therefore, it may not come as a surprise to see Blackburn register interest in free agent Craig Dawson, as per Alan Nixon, following his departure from Wolverhampton Wanderers in the summer.

Nixon said on the potential deal: “Blackburn Rovers are keen to sign centre half Craig Dawson on a free transfer.

“The experienced centre half knocked back Birmingham City on deadline day and they took Jack Robinson from Sheffield United instead. Rovers took a big offer for Dominic Hyam from Wrexham to leave them short and are now looking to tempt Dawson.”

• READ MORE – Departure of ‘unbelievable’ talent to Championship rivals may be Ipswich Town’s biggest summer transfer regret

Craig Dawson is a short-term fix for a long-term problem

There is no denying the experience that Dawson possesses, and he could be the perfect player to come and fill the void left by Hyam, as well as Danny Batth earlier in the summer.

However, questions have to be asked as to whether this is the correct solution for the long-term future at Blackburn with the 35-year-old defender, who was targeted by Derby and Wrexham earlier in the summer.

Dawson has played 514 games in his career, with 303 of those coming in the Premier League. Yet, just 16 of those came last season, as he made it onto the pitch just 15 times in the league for 970 minutes.

The former West Brom defender is not going to offer Blackburn the long-term security they need at the back. However, with their options limited, he could well be the best fit until the January transfer window opens.