Blackburn Rovers hold key to Harry Chapman’s Shrewsbury Town future

The 23-year-old attacker has been a sensation since checking in on loan at Montgomery Waters Meadow from Ewood Park in the new year.

Chapman, whose Blackburn contract expires in the summer, has six goals – all of which have been beauties – from 15 appearances, including just 12 starts.

The long-range specialist revealed his parent club do have the option to extend his deal for another year, but he is focused on impressing enough while on loan to ensure he can secure his future next season should a renewal in Lancashire not come his way.

“We just have to see what the future brings,” said Chapman, who has become a big hit with Town fans. “The ball is openly in Blackburn’s court, they have an option year on me.

“If they decide to take that up then I’m a Blackburn player again, we’ll just have to see what next season brings.

“Definitely, I’m very happy with life down here, the way things have gone.

“But it’s ultimately in Blackburn’s court, my future.”

The wing wizard added: “My main priority is to play football, no matter where it is.

“They have the option on me, if they want to take it up then they do and if they don’t then I feel like I’m doing all I can to make sure I’m still in a job next year.

“That’s where it is, this is my job, passion, what I love to do, I’m doing all I can to make sure I stay there.”

Shrewsbury are thought to be keen on making Chapman’s stay permanent.

Earlier in his prolific loan spell, the Hartlepool-born schemer admitted that his Championship parent club had probably been too busy to contact him while on loan in Shropshire.

And Chapman added: “They’ve still not, but it’s a busy schedule for both teams, they’ve got what they need to do, their games are coming as fast as ours, I’m sure someone is keeping an eye on me and watching what I’m doing.”

It is understood Rovers’ coaching staff have watched Chapman live while monitoring his progress at the Meadow.

Chapman is a League One promotion winner with loan clubs Barnsley, Sheffield United and Blackburn as well as part of England 2017 under-20 World Cup winners.

But he badly struggled for regular game time under Tony Mowbray’s men earlier this season, with just one start in the League Cup first round.

Town, meanwhile, are set to welcome back fellow key loanee Matija Sarkic from international duty today, ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Northampton Town.

Sarkic has been away with the senior Montenegro set-up and was an unused substitute three times for his country.

But the Wolves loanee shot-stopper returned to the United Kingdom overnight and should resume training at Sundorne Castle today. Stand-in boss Aaron Wilbraham admitted the decision as to whether to stick with deputy Harry Burgoyne, or redeploy Sarkic between the posts, is with manager Steve Cotterill.

The visitors will be without Brad Walker, however, who will miss a couple of weeks with a groin problem. Josh Daniels (calf) is a doubt but Aaron Pierre may make his return, Donald Love (groin) is also close.

Ollie Norburn returns from a two-match suspension.