New Blackburn Rovers boss Michael Appleton has confirmed that on-loan right-back Bradley Orr will return to Ewood Park when his current spell with the Blues is up after Saturday’s game away against his old club Bristol City. Prior to Appleton taking over as manager, the Lancastrian side had agreed to allow the 30-year-old to stay with Town until the end of the season.

However, the former Blackpool and Portsmouth boss is a fan of Orr and wants him in his squad: "100% he'll be back here after Saturday's game to be a Blackburn player.

"He is someone I have tried to sign a couple of times, he's got a vast experience of the Championship.

“He's very vocal, he's a good character, a good personality and he is someone who I'd rather have in my side than up against me.

"For me it is almost like a new signing, he's a lad that has got lots and lots of games in the Championship and someone that is going to be vital for us between now and the end of the season."

Orr’s return will be a blow to Blues boss Mick McCarthy who wanted the former Newcastle trainee for the rest of the season.

Previously, McCarthy had been linked with his Wolves right-back Ronald Zubar, but the Frenchman is back in favour at Molineux and has also been linked with a move to Premier League Wigan.

Summer signing Elliott Hewitt, 18, has impressed McCarthy since he took over from Paul Jewell, but the Blues boss would seem likely to want to bring in another more experienced right-back before the transfer window closes.

Photo: Action Images

Strider added 16:21 - Jan 21 As if we didn't know it already - Appleton seems to have it in for Ipswich. I've come to like Orr and he will be missed, unless he decides to leave them, but will be happy to see Hewitt given a chance
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bluefeast added 16:22 - Jan 21 No shock that Blackburn do a U turn , appleton has a record worse than Jewell in the championship. I feel for Orr ,going to Blackburn will pain for him as he loves it with us.
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Michael11 added 16:29 - Jan 21 Can't stand Appleton, Done absolutely nothing anywhere but always gets offered jobs. No loyalty to anyone neither. I think we'll miss Orr, he came in at a tough time and really settled the defence down, hopefully we'll see him back, thanks for all the effort!
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bluelady added 16:35 - Jan 21 absolutely detest Appleton and i dont say that about many managers. Blackburn have treated Orr like poo yet expect him to go back as if nothing has happend. The fact Mr Appelton you tried several times and failed to sign him says it all, lets hope he puts in a transfer request!!!
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irishtim added 16:39 - Jan 21 Step up young Hewitt. You are good enough. We still need to bring in someone though. Thanks Bradley for all you you have done.
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blueblood66 added 16:39 - Jan 21 Dear Michael11 I will double you wages if you come and work for me. Loyalty, mmmm?
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Ipswich24 added 16:39 - Jan 21 Not a great loss, for me his distribution is poor, him and Edwards just get in each others way on the pitch, which I think is more Edwards doing. Give Elliott Hewitt a proper chance he is our player and should be our 1st choice.
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Keaneish added 16:43 - Jan 21 That may be the case Michael but who on earth would want to stay at that ramshackle club who have done nothing but plummet since the Venky's took over!? Anyone know when Orr's contract at Ewood Park is up?
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neillrumsey added 16:44 - Jan 21 Agree with Ipswich24 his distribution is very poor and not good enough if we are looking to the future. That said his presence has had a positive impact on the team. Time for Hewitt to step up after a decent game at Villa.
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cooper4england added 16:48 - Jan 21 Really worried about playing youngsters like Hewitt week in week out. Look at the dyers and michael johnsons of this world who pick up chronic injuries when subjected to full on "men's football". Plus the fickle minority of fans at PR can destroy a you g players confidence. We need an experienced full back and develop hewitt slower.
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HackneyBlue added 16:52 - Jan 21 whats all the fuss,from what i have seen nothing special-poor distribution ,very poor saturday,we can find a better option than this.We need energy and hunger-Hewitt maybe the man .
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Ipswichbusiness added 17:06 - Jan 21 I would like to see Hewitt given a run in the team. Those who say that he's too young and/or inexperienced should remember that the Southampton left-back, Luke Shaw, is only 17 and he is getting rave reviews - in the Premiership!
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Stato added 17:34 - Jan 21 Was dreadful in few games but has improved to mediocre since. Not good enough to be in a promotion chasing team so not shedding any tears on this one.
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h32 added 17:50 - Jan 21 ....... to all you who predict he won't be missed - Orr is a class act in the Championship, as was seen against Barnsley by anyone who knows what they are watching !! ............ This is just what we didn't need right now - and Hewitt will now have to step up to the plate I guess. Not terribly confident about that - or seeing Edwards back there again. Shame on you Appleton - but your call to take him back, and what you have said about Orr is indeed correct. Makes life somewhat more difficult for us - still have an uphill battle as MM correctly states. Recent ..... 'Play Off ' !!! ..... predictors take serious note.

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Gazelle added 18:03 - Jan 21 Slightly worrying if young Hewitt has got to play behind Carlos.
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bluelady added 18:11 - Jan 21 H32 im with you some people need to be careful what they wish for. he is a good leader on the pitch and although not dynamic he knows his stuff. I fear Appleton will call him back then drop him which would be a shame for the lad, he seemed keen on playing for a contract here. someone like him would be invaluable to the likes of Hewitt learning his trade. I saw him at Villa, a good prospect but IMO not ready for week in week out, still very wet behind the footballing ears.

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StochesStotasBlewe added 18:32 - Jan 21 For the first time in ages, we have a proper, experienced right back. Round pegs in round holes etc. Reminds me a lot of David Wright, steady, dependable & knows how to defend. He will be hard to replace short term. h32/blue lady both spot on.
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Wickets added 18:40 - Jan 21 Not much of a surprise any manager worth his salt would want to keep Bradley, not Micks fault, problem goes back to policy before him when Jewel was neither backed or sacked.
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StowTractorBoy added 18:44 - Jan 21 I accept that everyone has an opinion on here and whilst they are respected I really wonder if posters go to any of the games. Apart from the first two matches he played when not match fit Orr has been excellent. He is what I call a proper defender who tackles hard as Danny Haynes will vouch for at Charlton. OK his distribution may not be top notch but he is a proper defender who goes in with no holds barred and he talks and organises. A top professional who we will miss. I like many others don't see the attraction with Appleton but sadly can't see him letting Orr come back to us. Lets hope he can go out with a win against his former Club Bristol City on Saturday.

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h32 added 18:52 - Jan 21 ...... some people will NEVER understand the game they watch and follow - as is evident on this thread. Go on 'kick me to death' for saying so - but it's true !!.
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petermorris added 18:58 - Jan 21 h32 - I agree with your earlier post (and ^ tbh). Orr was my MoMatch on Saturday by a mile and him going back is a bit of a mini disaster.
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andys_legg added 19:08 - Jan 21 Living up ere I can tell you now that the Blackburn fans hate Orr they will not welcome him back. While the Blackburn fans were trying to oust Steve Keane Orr would constantly defend Keane and critisise the fans. They were happy to see him go and im sure Orr knows all this I dont believe Orr will want to go back and I dont think this will be the last of this story. Im confident Orr will put in a transfer request.

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h32 added 19:13 - Jan 21 petermorris - my MoM too by a mile - along with Perkins for Barnsley.
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Talbs77 added 19:56 - Jan 21 Would be disapointing as he's got better as games have come along. However will give Hewitt a chance to stake a claim.
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Moscow_Blue added 19:57 - Jan 21 Orr's lack of pace was completely exposed in his first game at Leicester. time for Hewitt in my opinion. On Saturday's performance Edwards needs to be rested as well. Time to shuffle the right hand side of the team.
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