Thursday looks as though it has the potential to be a decisive day in the seasons of both Blackburn Rovers, and Duncan McGuire.
Earlier this week, Blackburn confirmed that an administrative error meant documents for the signing of the striker from Orlando City.
The club explained that the EFL had therefore not approved the deal, leaving McGuire in limbo. Discussions are now ongoing with legal representatives and football authorities about the issue.
Rovers now expect to hear on Thursday, if they have been successful in their attempts to sign the striker.
If the deal has not gone through, then Blackburn intend to enter talks in an attempt to reach a pre-contract agreement that would see McGuire join them in the summer.
However, if they are to be successful with that, they will have to convince the 22-year-old they are the right club for him.
After what has happened over the past week or so though, that may be something of a challenge for Blackburn to do.
So with that in mind, we’ve taken a look at three things Duncan McGuire will have to consider, if he is offered a pre-contract agreement by Blackburn Rovers.
Other interested clubs
Of course, the situation regarding McGuire and his proposed move to Blackburn has certainly not gone under the radar.
There has been plenty of discussion around the situation, and that may have attracted other clubs to the striker.
Indeed, Sheffield Wednesday were supposedly also keen on the striker in January before Blackburn Rovers appeared to have secured his services.
As a result, if this move does not go through on Thursday, McGuire may want to keep his options rather than immediately commiting to a move to Ewood Park. That way, he would be in a position to accept any better offer that might come in.
Does Duncan McGuire still have faith in Blackburn Rovers
As any Blackburn Rovers fan will be aware by now, the late submission of paperwork is not the first thing to have caused this deal to come close to falling through.
Prior to that deadline day administration error, it was reported that the Lancashire club had also pulled out of the deal for financial reasons while the striker was travelling to England.
Consequently, McGuire has now been put through the mill not once by twice by Blackburn Rovers. That is something that is not going to portray the club in a positive light to anyone, especially the player himself.
If that has harmed his trust in the club to handle this sort of business, he may be understandably hesitant to commit to joining Blackburn Rovers once again.
What league will Blackburn Rovers be in next season
Even if McGuire is still willing to join Blackburn Rovers in spite of everything, he will still have to weigh up if that is the best move for his own career.
Right now, Jon Dahl Tomasson‘s side are in a dismal run of form, winning just once in 11 league games. That means the are just five points clear of the relegation zone, with 17 games play.
Relegation to League One is therefore not out of the question. As a result, the striker may have to decide if he is willing to commit to a club who may be playing third-tier football next season.
That may not be appealing given he has just been playing at the top level in the American game. You could therefore understand if Duncan McGuire did elect to leave his options open until the summer, even if Blackburn Rovers are indeed forced to come in with a pre-contract offer before then.