Cardiff City manager Omer Riza has confirmed Bristol Rovers' interest in midfielder Joel Colwill, who is currently on loan at League Two outfit Cheltenham Town, with the Gas not the only League One club who admire the 20-year-old.

According to Riza, both Rovers and South West neighbours Exeter City have shown interest in the young Welshman after an impressive first half of the season at Cheltenham.

Colwill, brother or Cardiff first-teamer Ruben, is the Robins' top scorer this season with nine goals while his total goal contributions tally currently stands at 12 in 28 appearances across all competitions.

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However, his short-term future at Whaddon Road hangs in the balance given such eye-catching form for Michael Flynn's side who currently sit 13th in League Two.

It appears increasingly likely that Cardiff will opt to recall their academy product to then send him out on loan to a League One club for the remainder of the campaign with Rovers' interest confirmed by the Bluebirds manager on Tuesday.

“Currently there’s been a few whispers with regards to players going out on loan," Riza said ahead of the Championship side's trip to Sheffield United in the FA Cup on Thursday night. "Joel, we’ve got interest from League One for him, which I think would be really good for him and would be good for his education.

“There are other players we’ve got interest in… but we have to be patient because we have to make sure we have players in before we let players go out.

"Definitely Bristol Rovers and Exeter," he added. "Bolton have other players they’re looking at. There are other clubs as well. So there are lots of potential clubs interested.

"When I was at Arsenal I went out to League Two, then League One, it's very good for the experience and very good for the learning of the player. When he comes back in he will be ready to go, hopefully.

“He’s been brilliant. That’s credit to him and to Cheltenham for giving him the opportunity. He is playing well there and enjoying it. You need to be out of your comfort zone to improve.

"It's not definite he is going out anywhere, he might stay at Cheltenham, he might go out [on loan somewhere else]. That could last right up until the end of the window."

Colwill's loan spell at Cheltenham has been his first taste of regular men's football having made five appearances for Cardiff's first-team.

More clarity on whether or not the 20-year-old will remain at Whaddon Road for the remainder of the season is expected later this week, although it does appear that a League One loan move this month is likely.

Rovers are yet to confirm a signing at the time of writing but are expected to add experienced midfielder Romaine Sawyers to their ranks after the 33-year-old departed AFC Wimbledon following the expiry of a one-month contract.

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