Jon Dahl Tomasson has again urged Blackburn Rovers to strengthen the squad with experienced players and 'can't imagine' the club would weaken the squad by selling Sam Gallagher.

The Blackburn Rovers striker has been linked with a move to Ipswich Town, with the club reportedly rejecting two bids. Gallagher is one of the highest earners in the squad and his contract expires in the summer, with the club holding a 12-month option.

Tomasson has been vocal in his insistence that players with a history of playing regularly in the Championship must arrive at the club this month. So far, Lewis Travis and James Hill have left with Yasin Ayari and Ben Chrisene arriving.

"We know we need experience, I have asked for that for a long time," Tomasson told BBC Radio Lancashire. "We have no proven goal-scorers, I asked for that a lot of times.

READ MORE: Ipswich boss tight-lipped on Sam Gallagher

"In terms of numbers, with players used to playing at this level, players are going out of the building. Instead of getting less in, we need more, of course.

"The players need help, the fans and staff need help so, hopefully, the club can get it right. We know the situation where the project changed to a new project in the summer.

"It's a difficult period for the club, it is not nice for the club. That's understandable that suddenly wages mean big players have to leave and we haven't been able to spend on transfer fees.

"Now is a good opportunity, like every window, to strengthen the squad. I don't know what the finances are but we shouldn't forget when a club has issues paying fees in the summer and the big earners are going down, we know experience costs money.

"Proven goal-scorers cost money. That's the difficult issue but that's also why I'm very pleased to see Gallagher out there. A player with experience, a player who has done well for the club.

He added: "We lost Ayala, he didn't play every game last year but he was very experienced. We lost Ash Phillips, he'd have played more this season.

"It's a position where I haven't seen players coming in. We lost James Hill, a very good player and a leader. That's a position we have to strengthen.

"First of all, I like Phillips a lot but the ideal player would be experienced. We need players used to playing at the level. We have young players and that's good for the dynamic. 

"You need experience, players used to playing men's football. We have great young lads, I don't complain about those we do have but the ones we don't. Experience is extremely important to get in."

When asked about the interest in Gallagher, Tomasson insisted he can't envisage the squad being weakened in the January window.

"I can't imagine we will weaken the squad," he said. "I can't imagine that. It's an important window for Rovers, they have to get this right.

"In my time, I've asked for the same in every window. It would be nice to see it but we can't forget that if you weaken the squad, it can be extremely tough. 

"As our CEO said, we have to stay in the league this year and then develop players. I can't imagine that the club would sell players to weaken the club. We need to get more players in. I don't know if they can do that, sell to strengthen the squad.

"The club have to get this month right or there could be big trouble."

Players could leave Rovers on loan to balance the wage bill but not before fresh faces have been lined up. Tomasson has relied on young players a lot this season but some could perhaps benefit from regular football at a lower level.

"It depends on which players you're talking about," Tomasson said on the possibility of loan exits.

"The first job is to strengthen the squad before we look at anything going out. Too many have already gone out instead of coming in.

"I understand the financial situation the club is in and we need to respect that but we can't weaken the squad in regards to numbers."