BLACKBURN Rovers have rejected a bid from Brighton & Hove Albion for defender Shane Duffy.

Rovers confirmed that an offer had been lodged for the Republic of Ireland international but it was immediately rejected.

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Sources on the south coast suggest that the Seagulls will return with a second bid for Duffy.

The 24-year-old is a player Rovers would be loathe to lose having already seen Grant Hanley depart for Newcastle United in a £5.5m switch.

Duffy, who has just one year remaining on his Ewood Park contract, has been catching the eye of several clubs with Swansea, Middlesbrough and Crystal Palace all having been linked with the 24-year-old, but Brighton appear to be the most determined in their chase of the centre back.

Rovers are down to just Duffy and Elliott Ward as senior centre halves with former Seagulls defender Gordon Greer, and ex Sunderland ace Wes Brown, both currently on trial with the club.

Boss Owen Coyle has used academy graduate Scott Wharton in pre-season and will see that position as one he needs to strengthen.

Duffy, who impressed for his country at this summer’s European Championships, told the Lancashire Telegraph after last weekend’s pre-season draw with Blackpool that he was happy at Ewood Park and that talks over a new Rovers deal were underway.

He said: “It’s down to the representatives; they’re dealing with it and the manager’s trying to push it.

“I’m just happy to be here and I’m happy at this club, so whatever happens otherwise, that’s not in my hands.

“It’s up to the club and to the manager if he wants to give me a new deal, but I’m happy to be here.”