Todd Cantwell to leave Blackburn Rovers? There’s a clear replacement on one condition | OneFootball

Stockport County ace Jack Diamond could be an ideal replacement for Blackburn Rovers man Todd Cantwell, if the Hatters don't win promotion.

Todd Cantwell appears set to leave Blackburn Rovers this summer, which would leave the Lancashire club searching for a replacement.

New boss Michael O'Neill enjoyed a strong start to life in the Ewood Park dugout, earning consecutive victories over Queens Park Rangers and local rivals Preston North End.

Those positive results bolstered the Championship survival chances of a Rovers outfit who had previously earned just one win this calendar year, which came against now-relegated Sheffield Wednesday.

Blackburn are readying a three-year deal for O'Neill, but he may have to cope without the services of former Norwich City star Cantwell next term.

Stockport County star could be a perfect Todd Cantwell replacement for Blackburn Rovers - It hinges on one key factor

Scottish Premiership giants Rangers are plotting a reunion with Cantwell, who made 64 appearances for the Light Blues after moving to Ibrox from Norwich in January 2023.

The attacking midfielder, who can also operate in wide areas, has been a key figure for Blackburn since he swapped Glasgow for Lancashire in the summer of 2024.

Cantwell's Rovers contract expires in 2027, but Rangers' advances for his services could mean that O'Neill's men will part company with the 27-year-old in a matter of months.

If the former Norwich man leaves Ewood Park this summer, the Championship club should look no further than Stockport County ace Jack Diamond when it comes to sourcing a replacement.

The 26-year-old has proven to be a class act since joining Stockport on a free transfer in the summer of 2024, having previously represented Sunderland.

Diamond has been in particularly good form since the turn of the year and produced two assists when County defeated fellow Greater Manchester outfit Wigan Athletic 4-2 last Saturday.

The former Lincoln City loan star scored for Dave Challinor's men in their 4-0 triumph over Port Vale in the EFL Trophy quarter-final, and also notched a goal in a late January win over North West rivals Blackpool.

Like Cantwell, Diamond can operate effectively as both an attacking midfielder and a winger.

However, Blackburn may not be able to acquire his services if Stockport win promotion to the Championship.

The Hatters were only promoted from League Two to League One in 2024, but they are vying to land a third-tier play-off spot for the second consecutive season.

Jack Diamond is ready to compete in the Championship

Diamond has proven himself as a major asset in League One in recent seasons, and notched six goals and four assists in 31 third-tier appearances when he was on loan with Lincoln in the 2022/23 campaign.

The former Harrogate Town man went on to play a key role when Stockport landed a play-off spot last term, scoring five goals and producing three assists in 34 league outings.

He has already been more prolific than that this season, as County vie to win promotion to the Championship under the same boss who took them all the way from the National League to the third tier.

Diamond's admirable consistency and development in League One prove that he is ready to produce the goods in the second tier next season.

If Stockport win promotion, the former Sunderland man could even help Challinor's men stay in the Championship.