TONY Mowbray admits there are ‘critical’ areas of the team that Rovers must look to improve this summer.

Mowbray is looking to strengthen a side relegated to League One on the final day and that has seen 11 players leave since then.

Six first-team players weren’t offered new deals while the five loanees returned to their parent clubs. Connor Mahoney has been offered a new deal but he looks set to depart Ewood Park this summer.

That would leave Mowbray with just 15 players under contract for next season and the Rovers boss admits it is central midfield and up front that requires the most attention.

“I think there are some critical areas now that we have been emptied out almost by players leaving,” Mowbray told the Lancashire Telegraph.

“It is a big summer to try and get the recruitment right in pretty critical areas of the team that we have lost.

“Jason Lowe, Danny Guthrie, Hope Akpan all left, as did Lucas Joao, Marvin Emnes and Sam Gallagher, for different reasons.

“At the top end of the pitch we have spaces to fill and I have had these discussions with the owners.”

Mowbray revealed he had made tentative enquiries with players prior to his meeting with Venky’s in India. 

He agreed to stay on as head coach following talks with the Rovers owners last week in which he was given assurances that he would be in control of the incomings and outgoings from Ewood this summer.

Paul Senior had previously been charged with leading the club’s recruitment, in conjunction with Mowbray, but Senior resigned from his role as Director of Football and Operations in the wake of relegation. 

That means Mowbray takes over the mantle and he admits any pre-planning was hampered given Rovers were battling to survive in the Championship until the final day.

He added: “It was difficult not knowing what division we were going to be in because those targets will change depend on what division you are going to be in.

“The work needed to start and I had conversations, but that was difficult when I didn’t know what the budget was going to be.

“Now I have had those conversations, we will hopefully be able to recruit well and be strong and the supporters during the next two months of the transfer window will be able to see our intent.”