Midfielder Doyle-Hayes, who joined the Bit O’Red in February after being released by Hibernian, looks likely to join League One side Exeter after Gary Caldwell’s side activated his release clause.

It is understood a previous approach for the Cavan native was turned down.

Doyle-Hayes, who was a youth player at Aston Villa, has been a key player for John Russell’s side this season.

The midfielder has played 18 league games, and scored in Rovers’ 2-0 FAI Cup win over Dundalk.

He sat out the trip to Cork City last week due to suspension having accumulated 10 bookings, his second suspension of the season after being sent off after full-time in the 1-0 defeat to Derry City back in March.

It would appear as though Rovers were preparing for Doyle-Hayes’ departure, with John Russell signing former Derry midfielder Ciaron Harkin earlier this week.

Striker Francely Lomboto is set for a Rovers exit too, with the former Galway man about to join NIFL Premiership side Glenavon.

The 25-year-old has had to make do with mainly appearances off the bench this season, but has netted four goals in his 25 appearances.

Lomboto scored the winner against his former side Galway when he came on as a sub in June.

Glenavon, who recently signed Stephen Mallon from Sligo Rovers, are in pre-season at present and will get their season underway on Saturday, August 9.

Speaking earlier this week after the signing of Harkin, manager John Russell said his squad size is now probably where it should be, having brought in six players and lost two in the window.

But the departures of Doyle-Hayes and Lomboto will bring to six the number of Rovers players who have left in this window.

“Some players have left, we’ve lost some good players. We sold Reece Hutchinson, Stephen Mallon has left, we had Harvey Lintott on loan, obviously Connor Malley is gone.

“We’ve four out, we’ve brought in six. We had a small squad anyway, so when you look at it as four out and six in but we’re probably where we should be.”

Asked if he will look to bring in any more players, with Rovers still able to sign out-of-contract players, Russell said: “I’d love to bring one more in, the window closed last night to sign players who are contracted to other clubs but we’ll see.”