BLACKBURN Rovers boss Gary Bowyer would love to extend loan star Tom Lawrence’s stay from Leicester City.

But Bowyer accepts the Foxes may be tempted to draft the talented young forward back into their Premier League squad come the New Year if he continues to impress at Ewood Park.

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For the second home game running Lawrence was one of the stars of the show as Rovers recorded a superb 2-0 success over Ipswich Town last Saturday.

The 21-year-old former Manchester United starlet followed up his devastating cameo off the bench against Charlton Athletic with an industrious display that drew a standing ovation when he was substituted late on.

And it also reminded Bowyer of a team-mate of Lawrence’s at Leicester – England new boy and the Premier League’s leading marksman, Jamie Vardy.

“If you look at what Vardy did against us when they were in the Championship, and what he still does now, Tom’s performance reminded me of him,” said Bowyer.

“Vardy never stops, he gives defenders a terrible time, and that was what we saw from Tom on Saturday. We were really impressed with that side of his game.

“He’s also very good on the ball and if you look at his age, and the background and education that he’s had, from a footballing point of view, then he’s got a big future in the game.

“Of course, just like any young player, he’s got to keep on working hard, and keep on living his life right, but where he can end up is ultimately going to be down to him.

“But he’s made a great impression on everybody here. He’s got the ability to score a goal, like we saw against Charlton, and what also impressed me on Saturday was the way he dropped into midfield and helped out and played as a normal centre-midfielder.

“So from a flexibility point of view, he added another dimension to us as well.”

Lawrence, who is training with Wales ahead of their massive Euro 2016 qualifier in Bosnia-Herzegovina tomorrow night, is on loan at Rovers until January 3.

And Bowyer is keen for the deal to be extended until the end of the campaign.

“Obviously we would love to have him for the whole season if we can,” said Bowyer, who went on a two-day scouting trip in Europe immediately after the Ipswich victory.

“But he’s a Leicester player and we have to be respectful to Leicester and how they see him.

“But given the level of performances he’s producing for us at the moment, the downside of it is that they could recall him and put him in and around their first team.

“That is why they wanted to send him out on loan and get games. We understand that; that’s part of the process.”