Rovers are continuing to monitor Charlton defender Patrick Bauer as the German defender shows no signs of signing a new deal with the League One club.

Bauer was a target for Rovers last summer, but Charlton refused to sell one of their key men as they seek a return to the Championship.

The 26-year-old is in to the final months of his deal at The Valley, and his stance on not agreeing fresh terms appears no different to that of last summer when made clear that he wouldn’t be signing a new contract.

The prospect of Bauer becoming a free agent is increasing, with the Addicks’ hopes of persuading the defender to stay with the club likely to rest on their success in the play-offs.

Lee Bowyer’s side are fifth in League One, but 10 points clear of seventh placed Doncaster and 11 behind Barnsley in second, meaning a play-off spot is all but secured.

Bauer, who joined the club in 2015 from Maritimo, has been key to that promotion push, featuring in 29 matches in all competitions this term despite missing two months of action through injury.

He wouldn’t be drawn on his future when asked earlier this month, with Rovers continuing to weigh up their options before a possible move this summer.

Tony Mowbray has made no secret of his desire to strengthen in defence with Rovers having conceded 60 goals this season, the fourth most in the division, 42 of which have come away from home.

At 6’3, Bauer would add some much needed height to a Rovers defence which has struggled aerially since an injury to Darragh Lenihan on February 2.

Lenihan is one of three central defenders, along with Charlie Mulgrew and Jack Rodwell, to have struggled with injuries of late, but Rovers are hoping all three will be fit for the trip to Aston Villa on Saturday.

Captain Mulgrew didn’t join up with Scotland during the international break because of a hamstring problem but stands a chance of being involved at Villa Park.

Rodwell sees the contract he signed when joining as a free agent last August expire in the summer, with his future yet to be resolved.

Central defence is an area that Rovers will look to strengthen, with Bauer on the list of targets, while Mowbray will also look to add in the full back areas, as well as adding a new goalkeeper to add competition to No.1 David Raya.

Central defender Paul Downing, currently out on loan at League One side Doncaster Rovers, is also out of contract this summer and set to leave the club when his deal expires.

Scott Wharton, Joe Grayson and Matty Platt are also aiding their development with loan spells away from Ewood Park.