Jon Dahl Tomasson has doubled down on his belief that Blackburn Rovers should've signed a third player in the final 48 hours of the transfer window.

James Hill and Semir Telalovic strengthened Rovers' squad at either end of the pitch, signing on a season-long and a permanent deal, respectively. Gregg Broughton revealed that a third medical was completed for a Bundesliga winger but the loan deal fell through due to finances. 

The club also sanctioned loan deals for both John Buckley and Jack Vale, who were heavily involved in the first-team picture last season. Tomasson said after the Plymouth Argyle defeat he didn't want Buckley to be allowed out on loan despite leaving him out of the last two Championship squads.

Rovers took the view that the 23-year-old, who wanted regular first-team football, needed minutes to continue his development. Therefore, a loan move to Sheffield Wednesday was sanctioned.

READ MORE: Telalovic on learning from Tomasson and his Rovers aims

The recruitment team, alongside Tomasson, also opted to sign Telalovic permanently ahead of an experienced La Liga striker, who would have been a loan. However, Tomasson has revealed it was his understanding that signing Telalovic permanently would have facilitated another forward too.

"There was also an option to get a loan player in, then we had the option of getting a third player in if we got the striker in as a permanent (Telalovic) instead of two (signings)," he told The Lancashire Telegraph. 

"We only got two, I would rather have kept Buckley in the building as well. In my understanding, if Buckley and Jack Vale went away there would be a third option coming in as well. Why this third option didn’t happen, I don’t know. We all know it has been a difficult and very unclear situation for the club and if you talk about finances, we are probably in the relegation zone.” 

When asked about Jake Garrett's improvements, which saw him jump above Buckley in the pecking order, he added: “I have seen Garrett improve a lot, especially his creative game and getting into the right positions. Don’t get me wrong, I would have loved to have John Buckley in the building. 

"We all know how many players you need in this tough league and it is not like our squad is huge in terms of experience and numbers. John has experience as well, I would have rather kept him.” 

Tomasson has a decision to make in goal this weekend, with Loepold Wahlstedt pushing Aynsley Pears for the number one short. Pears has started every Championship game this season but has come under scrutiny following his performance against Plymouth Argyle.

The 24-year-old will feel he could've done better with goals two and three, leading to some fans suggesting Walhstedt should be given a start. The summer signing has made one appearance so far, which came in the 8-0 win over Harrogate Town in the Carabao Cup.

However, Tomasson seemed to suggest Pears will keep the gloves for now against Middlesbrough, though he didn't rule out a change.

“It is great to see the development of Leo - coming from abroad, a different level and league," he said. "I think he did well against Harrogate, he made a good save when we misjudged the situation. At that time I think it was 1-0 or 2-0, so it was a big moment. He is getting better and better, but still, he is a player who needs to get used to everything.” 

Tomasson has, interestingly, never dropped a goalkeeper since joining the club. Thomas Kaminski's knee injury opened the door for Pears and once the Belgian international returned in mid-March, he was on the bench with Pears retaining the shirt.

However, it must be noted that Kaminski was expected to start the season as number one, had he not been sold to Luton Town on the eve of the opening Championship match.