BLACKBURN Rovers boss Gary Bowyer admits he has to plan for life with and without star duo Jordan Rhodes and Rudy Gestede.

The strikers have been linked with moves away from Ewood Park after plundering 43 goals between them last season.

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Bowyer has no desire to lose either player and insists Rovers owners Venky’s will once more drive a hard bargain if interest in the prolific pair materialises into firm bids.

But he accepts that he has to have contingency plans in place should Rhodes or Gestede be the subject of ‘unbelievable offers’.

Bowyer said: “I think the owners have showed that unless their valuation is met then nobody leaves.

“So we’re planning with them (Rhodes and Gestede) and you have to plan without them as well.

“You can’t be naive to think that if somebody comes in with an unbelievable offer we’d be any different than any football club.

“Look at Tottenham with Gareth Bale and Liverpool with Luis Suarez. There comes a point when you can’t stop it.”

Rovers owners Venky’s rejected a £10m-plus bid for Rhodes from Hull City in August and then in March rebuffed attempts from Championship rivals Middlesbrough to sign the Scotland international on loan with a view to a permanent deal this summer.

Middlesbrough, who lost last month’s play-off final to Norwich City, remain interested in the 25-year-old.

It was reported at the weekend that Boro could offer £6m plus a promotion bonus if they are promoted.

But that would not tempt Rovers into selling Rhodes who has scored more goals than any other player in the Championship – 73 – since his club record £8m move from Huddersfield Town in August 2012.

Venky’s turned down a £3.5m bid for Gestede from Crystal Palace in January.

Last week there were speculation that newly promoted Watford, armed with Premier League cash, were closing in on a £5m deal for the Benin international.

But, while there is interest from the Hornets, they have not made an official approach.

And in any case it is understood that Rovers would look for a fee closer to £7m for the 26-year-old who has netted 34 goals in 65 appearances since his £200,000 switch from Cardiff City in January 2014.

Bowyer says he would be ‘buzzing’ if both Gestede and Rhodes were still in his squad by the time the 2015-16 season kicks-off on August 8.

But, to his frustration, he knows even then there is a danger he could still lose one or both.

“I think we should certainly look at closing the transfer window before the season starts,” said Bowyer, who currently can only replace players who leave Rovers with loans or free transfers after the club was embargoed for failing Financial Fair Play.

“It’s madness. You do all that preparation close season and pre-season, getting in who you want in, and then you can lose them three weeks into the season and then the window closes.

“It should be closed before the season starts in my opinion.”