As the New Year approaches, there are three words creeping onto the lips of Blackburn Rovers fans. January transfer window.

Last year, it was a difficult month for Rovers' recruitment staff as their chase for a striker went down to deadline day and ultimately didn't come off. There was the Lewis O'Brien saga too which left a sour taste.

This year, the club have very different difficulties to manage. The ongoing situation with Venky's in India makes it very hard for those inside the club to predict what will happen, let alone anyone on the outside.

What is clear is there is no blanket ban on spending. Rovers have to assess each deal or transaction on its merits. The owners pushed through £11.5million worth of funding through the High Court which will cover the club's bills for the next three months. That money is, of course, already accounted for to cover wages, utilities, agent fees and other day-to-day essentials.

READ MORE: Rovers injury list and expected return dates

However, when speaking to the Fans' Forum at the end of November, Chief Executive Steve Waggott did not rule out some help for the depleted Rovers squad in January.

The minutes state Rovers' CEO explained that Gregg Broughton and the recruitment team were looking at options for the short and long-term ahead of the New Year window. That was by no means a guarantee of fresh faces but certainly not ruling it out either.

Contract renewals are also part of the plan approaching January, with Sam Szmodics the latest to sign up for a one-year extension. It's understood there are more in the pipework too, so again this proves there is not a blanket ban on spending.

What creates a little mystery is that Jon Dahl Tomasson has repeatedly suggested he is unclear on the situation. Waggott confirmed the Rovers head coach had been briefed on the owners' issues without directly stating January had been discussed specifically.

With the injuries mounting up, Tomasson was asked whether he'd had any clues whether the club would be able to support the squad with any reinforcements, loan or otherwise.

"Of course, all know the roles within the club, my task is to coach the team," he told The Lancashire Telegraph.

"To be honest, I don't know if we can do anything. It would be nice if the players could get some help. I don't ever complain about the players we have, they are excellent.

"Sometimes I complain about the players we don't have. I don't know if we can do anything or not."

What is clear is this squad is incredibly stretched. Whilst Rovers have always prioritised the long-term since Tomasson and Broughton arrived, simply adding more bodies to the squad has to be a priority in January.

Hopefully, Dom Hyam, Sam Gallagher and Aynsley Pears will return in December. But there remain plenty of the long-term injury list who remain a distance from returning to help this very young squad.

John Buckley could potentially bolster their options if he's recalled from his loan at Sheffield Wednesday. He is hardly setting the world alight at Hillsborough and would probably be more valuable in Tomasson's squad, right now.

Despite Sam Szmodics' impressive goal return, a number nine would be the priority, considering Gallagher and Niall Ennis' injury problems. That would ease the pressure on Harry Leonard and maybe even allow a loan move for Semir Telalovic, which might be beneficial considering his recent game time.

Another versatile defender would probably be beneficial too. Joe Rankin-Costello's injury leaves Tomasson with only two senior full-backs to pick from with James Hill and Lewis Travis having to deputise in those roles.

The right-wing has been a problem position all season, particularly after Ryan Hedges' injury. Brittain has played there, so has Andrew Moran but neither of them would say it's their best role. Dilan Markanday hasn't been able to cement that slot as his own either.

So if you were putting together a wishlist, that would be mine for Rovers. But given the uncertainty, we will all have to wait and see.