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Taylor Gardner-Hickman's Blackburn Rovers future depends on the Lancashire side's manager decision

Blackburn Rovers' Championship status still hangs in the balance despite losing just one of their last seven league games, as Michael O'Neill continues to guide them ever closer to safety.

It's not been a particularly memorable campaign for Blackburn fans, who will be happy to see the back of this year.

Another season of lingering in and around the bottom half has, this time, brought about fears of relegation, with Valerien Ismael's efforts proving not to be up to scratch.

Northern Irish boss Michael O'Neill stepped in alongside his duties with the men's national team, and he has done a magnificent job at steadying the ship, picking up three vital points against the likes of Preston, Millwall, and Birmingham City to boost them towards safety.

With just four games remaining, a four-point cushion separates them from the relegation zone, with their noses nearly over the line.

The future of O'Neill remains in doubt, as does the future of one particular loan player.

Taylor Gardner-Hickman Blackburn's future depends on the club's managerial situation

As revealed by Alan Nixon via his Patreon, the future of Taylor Garnder-Hickman and Blackburn remains up in the air, with a key factor in any deal becoming permanent being that of who takes the reins at Ewood Park for next season.

Gardner-Hickman, 24, joined the Lancashire-based outfit on loan from Birmingham during the summer, and the versatile player has found himself in and out of the side since his arrival.

Capable of playing off the right flank or in midfield, Gardner-Hickman came through the ranks at West Bromwich Albion and has since racked up over a century of appearances in the Championship with the likes of the Baggies, Bristol City, Birmingham, and Blackburn.

The 24-year-old was part of Birmingham's record-breaking side, which romped to the League One title in 2025, but was allowed to leave on loan to Ewood Park this summer, with the deal including an option to buy for Rovers.

Given Blackburn cannot be certain as to who will be in the dugout for them next season, it's understandable that they are hesitant to sanction any permanent deal at this stage.

With 26 league appearances for Blackburn thus far this campaign, Gardner-Hickman's versatility has been crucial in what has been an injury-plagued year for the Lancashire side.

Whether it be O'Neill or someone else taking charge at Ewood Park for next season, a decision on who will be the person leading the club into the new year needs to be made sooner rather than later, so preparations for what the next campaign will look like can begin.

Securing their Championship safety is their biggest priority at the moment, with their fate also playing a huge role in the future of Gardner-Hickman, who, for now, remains in limbo about where he will be playing his football next season.

Blackburn must secure Championship status before deciding on the future of Taylor Gardner-Hickman

Before a decision on Gardner-Hickman can be made, Blackburn must first have clarity on what division they will be playing in next season.

Of course, they will be hoping to remain in the Championship, as relegation to League One not only puts them in a heap of bother financially, but almost certainly rules out any permanent addition of Gardner-Hickman.

The 24-year-old, whilst he hasn't pulled up too many trees, has been a solid squad player under both Ismael and O'Neill, with his ability to cover numerous positions has been particularly useful.

Championship survival will help to see a permanent addition of the Baggies youth product come to fruition, though the final say will be by who takes charge of the club heading into next year.