Blackburn Rovers set for change ahead of crunch West Brom visit

Play-off chasing Rovers will hunt for a new boss with Eustace set to swap Ewood Park for Pride Park and confirm a move to Derby County, where he served as a player.

Eustace, who previously managed Kidderminster Harriers, was 'reluctantly' given permission by Blackburn to hold talks with struggling Championship rivals Derby on Monday and his switch is now all-but done.

Derby made an official approach over the weekend to trigger Eustace's release clause, thought to be £500,000. The Rams dismissed Paul Warne last week following eight straight defeats.

Reports in Lancashire said Eustace met with the Blackburn board over the weekend to ask for a new contract and assurances on investment but these were refused. Eustace has said his goodbyes to staff and players at Ewood Park.

The former midfielder still lives in the West Midlands and that is thought to be an attraction in the switch from a play-off push to a survival tilt.

Eustace has been linked with several vacant posts during recent months, including that at Albion, though it is believed suggestions the Baggies were in for the Solihull-born 45-year-old were wide of the mark.

Rovers are likely to be guided by interim management when they visit The Hawthorns to face Albion in a crunch clash in the top six chase.

The visitors start the day in sixth, two points below hosts Albion. Home boss Tony Mowbray lines up against the club he served as manager between 2017 and 2022.

Albion chief Mowbray stressed Blackburn are a strong side and will be focused and intense challengers in the Black Country tonight regardless of change at the helm.