Blackburn Rovers' start to the January transfer window has been busy, with three major pieces of business inside the opening week.

Six days ago, it was two in, one out, though that departure was significant. Throw in James Hill's return to Bournemouth too and there has been plenty of action early on.

Considering the limited funds that Rovers are working with, it might be a busier month than many anticipated. Already, it's clear there are plenty of moving parts.

Jon Dahl Tomasson has not been shy about how important this month is for Blackburn Rovers. The stretched squad needs reinforcements and the head coach has made his feelings known.

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"It is a position we are extremely stretched in now," he admitted last Friday. "This window is extremely important for the club to get it right."

No pressure then.

Adding Championship experience, not just in terms of age but also minutes played, is the primary objective. In Yasin Ayari, they have somewhat ticked that box, though he is obviously dwarfed in comparison to Lewis Travis.

Ben Chrisene may not have that but the Aston Villa teenager does seem cut from a similar cloth to Hill. A good talker and a talented youngster, ready to grasp his opportunity.

Funds remain very tight at Ewood Park, particularly in regard to transfer fees. There is more flexibility with the wage bill in the sense Rovers can offload players to manoeuvre more space, which is always harder to do with permanent sales.

Travis is one of Rovers' higher earners and so shifting him off the weekly salary bill will hopefully free up some space.

Tomasson has made it clear he would like to add two centre-backs to his ranks. He already felt the club were one short, having lost Ash Phillips and Daniel Ayala in the simmer and only bringing in Hill. As the head coach has bluntly put it, he's now gone too. So Rovers would like two defenders to bolster their ranks. 

Connor O'Riordan is a player admired but it's not a done deal as they negotiate a payment structure with Crewe. Charlie Cresswell has been touted as a target too in a deal that would make sense but the validity of those links hasn't been verified yet.

In terms of the midfield, Rovers are actually ok in terms of numbers. They have seven viable options, including Joe Rankin-Costello and John Buckley, who remain sidelined. 

Tomasson did say that he didn't see Ayari as a replacement for Travis though and so perhaps another, more experienced, player could arrive in that area. Maybe that would facilitate a loan move for Jake Garrett, who has looked bright but only been on the fringes of the Championship team.

Right-wing has been a problem position for Rovers since Ryan Hedges got injured in September. He'll be a welcome addition once fit again, hopefully at the end of the month.

Andrew Moran has been the preferred option in his absence but is better suited centrally or on the left. Callum Brittain has enjoyed varying degrees of success in a more advanced role whilst Dilan Markanday hasn't grabbed his opportunities when handed them.

Another loan for Markanday could be possible in January if Rovers do recruit in the forward line. It would be foolish to try and rush Hedges back after so long out and adding a winger, akin to the loan deal for Sorba Thomas 12 months ago, would make perfect sense.

That leaves the top end of the pitch. Despite Sam Szmodics' fantastic goal return, signing a number nine still seems an obvious priority. 

Sam Gallagher may be back in training but his history with injuries makes it difficult to rely on him, though he'll be a big boost when he returns. You could say the same for Niall Ennis, who has been linked with a loan move away.

Semir Telalovic is yet to score in English football and there's an argument that a six-month League One loan would do Harry Leonard's confidence the world of good too.

If Rovers could sign a nine of sufficient quality, an upgrade or at least on par with Gallagher, then it would make sense for one to leave. Depending on the finances involved, Leonard would be more logical than Ennis or Telalovic. 

So in an ideal, dream scenario, I think you'd look at Rovers' squad and say five more signings would make this a dream window. There would be a few exits too to compensate and free up room on the wage bill.

If you add in the return of Hedges, Gallagher and Rankin-Costello, suddenly the squad would like a hell of a lot stronger.