Blackburn Rovers have signed defender Dion Sanderson on loan from Birmingham City until the end of the season. The 25-year-old has had experience working with Rovers boss John Eustace previously, at Birmingham and QPR. Sanderson, who began his career at Wolves, has also had spells at Cardiff City and Sunderland.
This center-half, who has made only two appearances for Birmingham City this season, will not be eligible for Blackburn's FA Cup tie against Middlesbrough on Saturday. He had previously played for Birmingham City, contributing to their second-round win at Blackpool last month, and unfortunately, this meant he couldn’t line up for Blackburn just yet.
After falling down the pecking order at Birmingham, where he was captain last season with 37 appearances, Sanderson’s move to Ewood Park may provide him with the playing time he seeks. Despite showing promise and leadership at Birmingham City, he has only featured for two brief appearances this campaign, including one as a two-minute substitute against Northampton Town.
That said, his addition to the squad is expected to bolster Eustace's defensive options significantly. While primarily recognized as a center-back, Sanderson has also showcased his versatility by playing at right-back when required.
Talks had initially centered around Liam Kitching being brought to Blackburn, but those discussions ended when Coventry City unexpectedly changed their stance about Kitching's availability. Consequently, Blackburn quickly turned their attention to Sanderson, finalizing the deal within days to supplement their squad.
On the roster front, Blackburn also had to adapt due to Leo Duru leaving for Barrow on loan and the recall of Lewis Baker by Stoke City, potentially leading Joe Rankin-Costello to assume responsibilities from midfield. The need for reinforcement is clear, and Rovers are also seeking to sign Adam Forshaw from Plymouth Argyle, with their priorities clearly leaning toward adding both a striker and left-winger.
With Dion Sanderson now on board, Blackburn Rovers fans are eager to see how soon he can make his debut, which is anticipated to be against Portsmouth this Wednesday night. The hope is this move will energize the squad and provide the depth necessary for the club to compete effectively as they navigate the remainder of the season.