Blackburn boss Paul Lambert believes the club could struggle to keep hold of in-form captain Grant Hanley in the summer.

The Scot has matured into a key part of the Rovers’ starting XI since their relegation from the top flight in 2012 and has again been magnificent for his team this season, helping them to their 14th clean sheet of the campaign on Saturday against Wolves.

Since arriving at the club in November, Lambert has regularly spoken about his ultimate aim of guiding the Lancashire outfit back to the Premier League.

However, he has been left frustrated by a lack of investment in the squad, despite the lifting of their transfer embargo in December and could again be forced to sell in the summer.

Scotland international Hanley is one of those who could be on the shopping lists of a number of sides come of the end of the season.

Lambert admits he has been hugely impressed by the 24-year-old and has backed him to eventually make it back to the top flight, either with Rovers or another club.

“I think there has been a few lads who have been brilliant for me and Grant has definitely been up there,” he told the Lancashire Telegraph. “If you can get people who you know exactly what you’re going to get then that’s half the battle.

“Grant is doing great with the national team and he’s played in the Premiership before. He knows exactly what it takes and once you’re in there you want to get back to it.”

Next up for Blackburn is the visit of Huddersfield on Saturday, a game they are currently 2.40 to win, with the draw 3.10 and the Terriers priced as the 3.00.