Rovers look set to target up to six new signings in the summer transfer window.

Club captain Darragh Lenihan and midfielder Joe Rothwell signed for Middlesbrough and Bournemouth respectively last week after turning down contract offers, while Ryan Nyambe is set to leave at the end of his deal.

Jan Paul van Hecke and Reda Khadra, regulars in the side last season, have returned to parent club Brighton, as have Rovers’ three other loanees, while Bradley Johnson and Jacob Davenport were released.

That has created gaps in the squad, though those under contract at the club will be given the first chance to impress head coach Jon Dahl Tomasson.

An extended 28-man squad has travelled to Portugal for the pre-season training camp for Tomasson to cast his eye over, with director of football Gregg Broughton, also currently out in Portugal, having stated that Rovers’ recruitment will first look ‘internally’ before ‘externally’.

Under-23s boss Mike Sheron has also made the trip to Portugal to pass on his knowledge of those he has worked closely with, including Ash Phillips, Sam Barnes, Adam Wharton, Jake Garrett, Harry Leonard and Jack Vale.

That means the homegrown players will be given every chance to stake their claim for a spot in the first-team squad, though incomings are firmly on Rovers’ agenda to add quality to the squad.

Outgoing head of recruitment John Park had begun drawing up lists of players for positions, and price ranges, prior to Tomasson’s appointment.

Park will leave the club this week at the end of his contract, with the search for a new transfer chief, who will work alongside Broughton, under way.

Broughton will return to the UK ahead of the squad, who are due back on Sunday, as Rovers look to the market for new signings.

Those will be focused on Tomasson’s style of play which is set to focus on high intensity football.

The new head coach held meetings with Academy staff, and coaches, about wanting to implement that philosophy across Rovers’ youth sides to make the transition period easier.

All 28 players trained on Monday morning, and while there are gaps in the squad created by departures, Hayden Carter’s return from another impressive loan spell at Portsmouth, a fully-fit Daniel Ayala, Dilan Markanday and Bradley Dack will also help Tomasson’s options.

Loans aren’t being ruled out, with Broughton believing they can help fill holes in the squad until Rovers’ homegrown players are more first-team ready.

Equally, the club will use that market as a vehicle to get youngsters experience, though Rovers will assess players first before making decision on whether to take up interest in their players.

The future of Ben Brereton could change the dynamics of Rovers’ window, though the club will press on with their plans irrespective of the outcome of interest in the 23-year-old top scorer, with sides across Europe having been linked with a potential move.

Budgets have been drawn up, with Broughton’s initial focus set to be on recruitment, though Tomasson will have the final say on any player coming into the club.

Ethan Walker is Rovers’ one addition so far, and is part of the squad out in Portugal, though his immediate is set to come with the Under-23s, or potentially out on loan.

A right back will be on the agenda after Nyambe’s departure, as will central defensive reinforcements. Interest in Malmo central defender Anel Ahmedhodzic is genuine, but will be a difficult deal to do as interest grows in the Bosnia international.

Midfield is expected to be Rovers’ main focus in this window, with Lewis Travis currently the only senior central midfielder on the club’s books following three departures in that position this summer.

John Buckley could however, be considered for a deeper role next season to accommodate the return to full fitness of Dack.

Rovers boosted their forward options in the January window with moves for Ryan Hedges and Markanday, but another forward will be on the radar, irrespective of how things play out over Brereton’s future.

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