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The Blues have missed the permanent signing deadline for Garner to feature in the opening game of the season at Walsall tomorrow but they have applied for emergency loan status to enable the 19-year old to take his place in the matchday squad. United boss Neil McDonald looking for Joe to add to the five goals he scored in 18 games in his four-month loan spell at Brunton Park at the end of last season.
Garner's all-action style endeared him to fans and management alike and after his successful temporary period in Cumbria the United staff had apparently been tracking him all summer with a permanent move in mind for a player who had one year left on his contract at Ewood Park.
Blackburn-born Garner, who is no relation to old Rovers striking stalwart Simon Garner, has been a prolific goalscorer at every level he has played at, scoring 15 goals in 22 youth team starts, plus four as a substitute, in the 2004-05 season in which Blackburn were crowned the FA Premier Academy League Champions.
The next campaign saw his form level off a little with just five goals in 21 youth and reserve team starts, plus five as a substitute, but last season he came storming back with eight goals in nine starts, plus one as a substitute, in Glyn Hodges's second-string outfit before joining United on loan in mid-January 2007.
The 18-year old scored eight goals, including two from the penalty spot, in 12 caps for John Peacock's England under-17 side, and Joe has also earned four caps at under-19 level, although he has slipped out of the international reckoning since the end of 2005.
First Team Transfers 2007-08 : Click here