Former Watford target signing Jay Spearing has joined Blackburn Rovers on loan until the end of the season.

The Hornets were in talks with Bolton Wanderers over signing the midfielder but we have been told discussions ended after the Golden Boys landed Ben Watson from Wigan Athletic last week.

Spearing, a former Liverpool midfielder, has found first-team opportunities hard to come by since Neil Lennon took charge at the Macron Stadium, making just seven substitute appearances in all competitions since November, and Rovers described him as “a long-term target for the club” on their website.