Blackburn Rovers are looking to wrap up a deal for goalkeeper Jack Thompson following a successful trial with the club.
The Lancashire outfit were first interested in signing Thompson in August with the shot-stopper available as a free agent.
The 19-year-old featured in a behind-closed-doors friendly and was in the frame for a contract when he suffered a thigh injury in training which scuppered the deal.
However, Thompson has since returned to full fitness and featured in Blackburn Under-21s Premier League Cup fixture against Bolton Wanderers B as a trialist. The goalkeeper saved a penalty in stoppage time to salvage a 3-3 draw at Leyland.
Revealed by RoversXtra, Thompson has impressed enough to prompt Blackburn to open contract talks.
Thompson had been on the books at Derby from the age of eight and his first professional contract with the Rams in December 2023.
He had loan spells at non-league clubs Kettering Town, Alfreton Town, Worcester City and Braintree Town whilst scaling the ladder for both club and country, representing England from the Under-18s through to the Under-20s.
Derby had offered Thompson fresh terms, but the shot-stopper rejected the new contract offer and decided to pursue opportunities elsewhere. The Rams will be entitled to compensation from Thompson's future employers.
If signed, Thompson will be added to Paul Butler's development squad where he will compete with Felix Goddard for a starting berth.
Rovers will require a succession plan for Balázs Tóth, should he eventually depart, and excitement is simmering at the prospect of young 'keeper Nicholas Michalski, who is currently on loan at Crawley Town in League Two.
Blackburn's Brockhall talent factory continues to churn out highly-rated prospects with the likes of Adam Wharton and Ashley Phillips rolling off the production line in recent years.
Tom Atcheson has established himself in Tony Mowbray's first-team plans, while academy graduate Kristi Montgomery has featured in every Blackburn match this season.
During Saturday's 2-1 win over Cardiff City, five of Blackburn's 20-man squad had come through the club's academy.
