Taylor Gardner-Hickman has spent this season on loan at Blackburn Rovers from Birmingham City.
Taylor Gardner-Hickman might have to return to Birmingham City this summer.
The midfielder has spent the season on loan at Blackburn Rovers, who will visit St Andrew’s on Good Friday, after being judged surplus to needs by Chris Davies last year.
Gardner-Hickman was an unnecessary addition to Davies’ squad, and the 24-year-old was let go just months after his permanent move from Bristol City.
Gardner-Hickman’s decision to join Blackburn has resulted in twenty Championship starts (and counting), and he has been well greeted at Ewood Park for the all-action, relentless performances that made him famous in Birmingham.
Elliott Jackson, who covers Rovers for the Lancashire Telegraph, told us: “The fans have been pleased enough with him in the team. He’s a willing runner who thrives when given the freedom to pursue his opponents. “I don’t think he is a natural sitting midfielder.”
That much was obvious last season. Gardner-Hickman was rarely used as a sitting midfielder in Davies’ Blues 4-2-3-1 formation.
Indeed, he only appeared sporadically in midfield, with Gardner-Hickman’s versatility allowing him to play 33 games in various wide positions during the Blues’ League One championship run.
Jackson added: “Gardner-Hickman has played center midfield at Rovers, with one appearance at right-back and two at right-wing-back. They were both needs-must scenarios, and I don’t think he’s a good fit for the role.
“We’ve seen glimpses of terrific play. Some brilliant passes, limitless enthusiasm, but far too many games have slipped him by.
“He’s had two good runs in the team, initially in September/October and he’s re-established himself now amid a lot of injuries.”
Gardner-Hickman’s run in Rovers’ starting XI will be cut short this week since the midfielder is ineligible to play against his parent club.
Rovers are fighting for their lives near the bottom of the Championship league and could benefit from him at St Andrew’s, despite concerns about his long-term future.
Back in December, we reported that Blackburn had indicated to Blues that they were interested in taking up their option to sign Gardner-Hickman on a permanent basis, but this was when Valerien Ismael was in charge.
Ismael was the main factor behind Gardner-Hickman’s move north, having previously managed him at West Bromwich Albion.
Michael O’Neill is now in charge, but there is no certainty that he will stay beyond May, and Blackburn isn’t exactly flush with funds right now.
So, will they pursue their option?
“My gut feeling is probably not,” Jackson admits. “They don’t know who will be the head coach, but the smart money is on O’Neill to keep them up.
“While I believe he is a good egg and a valuable squad player, I’m not sure he shifts the needle enough for a club that has to substantially strengthen their team.
“You could make an argument to keep him, dependent on the finances, but it’s not one I’d break my neck to do.”
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