GARY Bowyer remains eager to strengthen in central midfield before Blackburn Rovers’ season opener at Derby.

Rovers have made a central midfielder a priority this summer but missed out to Leeds in the chase for Luke Murphy and have so far been unable to secure Liverpool’s Jay Spearing.

The addition of Alex Marrow has given Rovers another option in midfield alongside Jason Lowe, while Lee Williamson is touch and go for the first game of the season at Derby on August 4 following a back injury. Bowyer has confirmed central midfield is a position he is still looking to strengthen.

“Of course,” he said.

“At the moment Dickson Etuhu is injured and Lee Williamson is coming back.

“I thought Alex Marrow played much better at Preston and showed what he was capable of, and Lowey’s Lowey – he’s magnificent for us with his energy “It’s an area we need to look to improve possibly if the quality is out there. But if the quality is not out there then we’re not going to be just signing anybody.”

And Bowyer still hopes to add to his squad before Saturday’s final pre-season friendly at home to Everton. Asked about the importance of getting signings in well before the Derby game, he said: “Ideally you do, but at the same time the window doesn’t shut until the end of August which is crazy when you think about it. You do all your planning and at the end of August you could lose some of your players, which is nonsensical really, but I don’t make the rules up.

“We’re looking to try to bring one or two in before Saturday. If we can, that will be great. It will be a boost for the squad and for the fans.

“We’re working very hard with that.”

Defender Yann Songo’o seems likely to earn a contract with the club, with Rovers hoping to free up space on their wage bill by agreeing a deal for Gael Givet to join Livorno.

Rovers are still weighing up UAE midfielder Amer Abdulrahman but they are unlikely to pursue an interest in Norwegian forward Dag Alexander Olsen, who featured in a behind closed doors game against Bury on Tuesday.

David Dunn and Markus Olsson remained sidelined with injury in midweek but others to feature against Bury included Mauro Formica, Diogo Rosado and Ruben Rochina.

Elche remain interested in a potential loan deal for Rochina, with Valencia also being linked.

Rochina could be tempted by a return to Spain if he is not a regular starter with Rovers, with Bowyer’s first choice XI potentially becoming clearer against Everton.

DJ Campbell appears to be the form man in the race to partner Jordan Rhodes up front, although Rovers are still assessing the injury the forward picked up at Preston in midweek.

“It was just a knock above his ankle and we’ll assess that,” Bowyer said.

“The partnership with Jordan looked promising but we’ve got other options too. Kingy (Josh King) went up front and looked a threat in a different manner with his pace.

“We had a look at Judger (Alan Judge) in there too and I thought he took up some great positions.

“We’ve got Leon Best as well, so it’s an area we have competition for.”