Tony Mowbray says Ryan Nyambe’s future will come down the decision of the Rovers right back and his representatives.

Nyambe is into the final months of his deal and has been a regular starter under Mowbray in the last four years.

The 23-year-old was left out of the squad for Wednesday’s defeat at Barnsley, with the manager confirming that was down to a selection decision, rather than down to an injury.

The Academy graduate has started 22 of Rovers’ 29 games this season, but now faces competition for his place from fit-again Elliott Bennett and Taylor Harwood-Bellis, while Joe Rankin-Costello is close to a return to full fitness.

And Mowbray said: “Will he sign a new deal? That’s down to him and his agents. We can only make proposals.

“We have parameters of where we pay our players and we’ll see what happens.

“That’s not for public discussion other than we’ll let you know if anything develops.”

Rovers this week tied John Buckley and Tyrhys Dolan to new contracts, while Bradley Dack committed his long-term future to the club in December.

There are a host of players out of contract in the summer, with Nyambe one of the regulars whose current deal is set to expire and a player the club are in discussions with.

“I don’t get involved in the contract negotiations,” Mowbray added.

“Am I optimistic? I have talked Ryan, he knows where we are, we’ve been together four years, he was a young boy when I arrived here.

“How is his progression? I still think he’s got lots of growth still left in him. If he wants to be a top player then he’s got to keep the work ethic going, develop his game.”

Nyambe had been substituted in the second half of defeats to Preston North End and QPR, but was left out of the squad altogether against Barnsley when Rovers switched to a back three.

Bennett wasn’t in the squad for the North End defeat, but was then recalled for his first start of the season at Oakwell, with Nyambe hoping to be recalled for today’s game at the City Ground.

“Ryan didn’t feature, basically because I’ve got a squad of players and I can only pick 20,” Mowbray explained.

“At some stages when you look at the balance of the squad and where you might make changes to change a game you have to make decisions and that’s the manager’s job.

“That’s what I do. It’s no one else’s job other than mine to pick the team.”