By Wayne Veysey

3rd Feb, 2023 | 10:36am

Sources: Blackburn Rovers move for Lewis O'Brien collapsed due to EFL technicality

Blackburn Rovers saw their move for Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis O’Brien collapse due to an EFL technicality, sources have told Football Insider.

O’Brien, 24, was set to move to Blackburn on deadline day but the move fell through because of a technicality regarding the obligation to buy after the loan.

Rovers have since decided to appeal the EFL’s decision after missing out on their January target.

Blackburn released an official statement on Thursday (2 February), stating that their submission was late “due to events we believe to be outside of our control”.

O’Brien only joined Forest in the summer after the club earned promotion to the Premier League through the playoffs.

The young midfielder has gone on to make 13 top-flight appearances this season, scoring one goal in the process.

But O’Brien has slipped down Steve Cooper’s pecking order in recent weeks, playing just 95 minutes in the league in Forest’s last 12 fixtures.

Prior to his time at Forest, O’Brien spent the rest of his career at Huddersfield Town.

He joined the club back in 2009 and spent nine years progressing through their academy before earning himself a professional contract in 2018.

O’Brien was sent out on loan to Bradford City for the 2018/19 season but returned to make over 100 league appearances in the next three seasons for the Terriers, scoring eight times.

O’Brien played a crucial part in Huddersfield’s 2021/22 Championship campaign, where he helped the side to the playoff final.

However, Huddersfield ended up losing 1-0 at Wembley to Forest and O’Brien made a move to the club just weeks later.

In other news, Tottenham’s late bid for Thierry Small was £400,000 short of Southampton’s asking price