Sixteen days stand between Rovers and the end of the transfer window with Tony Mowbray eyeing up to six new faces to bolster his threadbare squad.

Mowbray has continued to stress both the need and his desire to add more strength in depth to the Rovers ranks, with inexperienced benches named in their opening two Championship fixtures.

They have however collected four points in the process, an opening day win over Swansea City backed up by a point on the road.

There remains a strong on the transfer window, and here are some of the players under consideration this month.

 

MICHAEL OBAFEMI

Brereton may have made it two in two with his equaliser at Millwall but a new centre forward is definitely on Rovers’ radar. Southampton’s Michael Obafemi appears to be the top target, with any funds spent in this window expected to be on Armstrong’s replacement, continuing the recent theme under owners Venky’s that funds for forward players appear to be more readily available than other positions.

While Obafemi is reported to have other interest, Bournemouth one club to be credited with interested in the Republic of Ireland who didn’t make Southampton’s matchday 20 on the opening day, Mowbray says Rovers themselves have other options.

Rhys Healey, of Toulouse, was one player understood to have been identified as a possible Armstrong replacement, but Obafemi certainly appears to be the top target.

 

LEIGHTON CLARKSON

Rovers have developed strong links with Liverpool in recent times and in a friendly ahead of the Project Restart fixtures in June 2020, Clarkson scored in a 6-0 win for the Reds.

Rovers also got a look at the midfielder in a Premier League 2 fixture in April where he played at the base of the Liverpool Under-23s midfield in an entertaining 2-2 draw.

Since allowing Corry Evans to leave and Tom Trybull’s loan coming to an end, as well as Bradley Johnson’s current injury status, Rovers have lacked options in the holding midfield role.

Clarkson fits that particular bill, the 19-year-old keen to start attacks and get on the ball where possible, and the East Lancashire born midfielder is firmly on Rovers’ radar.

A former season ticket holder at Ewood Park, Clarkson would certainly relish the move, and midfield is an area of the pitch the club are looking to strengthen.

Manchester United’s Dylan Levitt, who spent last season on loan at Charlton Athletic before a mid-season switch to Croatian side NK Istra, is also a player the club have looked at previously. The 20-year-old Wales international has made one senior appearance for United.

 

PHILIPPE SANDLER

A new name in the frame, coming days after Mowbray revealed the club’s search for up to two new defenders.

That will allow Scott Wharton extra time to get fully up to speed, and also provide cover as Daniel Ayala’s fitness continues to be managed, as well as giving Rovers the possibility of playing with a back three.

Hayden Carter did well off the bench in the draw at Millwall, and has featured in all three matches so far, but Mowbray’s plan would be to get him regular game-time under his belt with a loan move.

Sandler, aged 24, has been short of minutes and played just 11 senior games, all during a loan spell with Anderlecht in 2019/20, and he didn’t play any games last season, but was on the bench for the Community Shield defeat to Leicester City.

The Dutch defender signed for City but is yet to make a senior appearance, although any potential loan move will reportedly only be sanctioned after signing a new deal.

Speaking of his future in pre-season, Sandler said: "The target is to play as many games as possible, if it's here or somewhere else I don't know but I just need to play as many games. I've been injured for a long time now so I need to see where it is, but as long as I play."

In Tosin Adarabioyo and Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Rovers have signed defender’s on loan from City in each of the last two seasons.

 

TOMMY DOYLE

Goals from midfield is an area that Rovers are looking for when it comes to their midfield recruitment as they look to fill the void left by Adam Armstrong.

That has been an issue for Rover pre-dating Mowbray’s time in charge, and their search has included looking at Manchester City midfielder Doyle.

A regular for the England age groups, Doyle was on the bench in the Community Shield, and has racked up 50 appearances for City’s Under-23s, with nine goals and 15 assists.

He has also made seven appearances for Pep Guardiola’s first-team and is highly-regarded, with Rovers certainly not alone in the hunt for his signature. Those appearances have come in the Premier League, FA Cup, EFL Cup and Champions League but regular game-time is the next phase of his career.

Other City attacking talents such as Ben Knight, James McAtee and Marvin Rogers will also come into Rovers’ thinking as they look to bolster their forward line.

 

REDA KHADRA

It looked set that the Brighton winger would become Rovers’ first summer signing, and while a deal is still set to go through, that is on hold for now.

Injury has seen the 20-year-old head back to Brighton for treatment having travelled to East Lancashire last week.

Khadra featured in pre-season for the Seagulls, but missed their final two friendlies, and he will be looking for a sustained run of games should, as expected, his loan move goes ahead in advance of the deadline.

He has already made his Premier League debut, and boasted impressive numbers for the Under-23s last season, albeit in just six appearances, registering three goals and two assists.

His senior experience is limited, Khadra having arrived at Brighton from the youth ranks at Borussia Dortmund, but he is highly regarded and represented Germany at youth level.