ROVERS boss Tony Mowbray is working hard to bring in a new striker – but one player he won’t be signing is Rickie Lambert.

Mowbray is conscious that he needs to add to his forward line with the Ewood boss having only Danny Graham and Anthony Stokes as senior strikers.

Rovers are speaking with the clubs of their prospective targets, having already tabled bids, but have no interest in bringing in 35-year-old Lambert, who was released by Cardiff on Thursday.

Despite being widely linked with a move to Ewood Park, the former England man doesn’t fit the profile of player Mowbray is looking to recruit with the Rovers boss keen to add more mobility to his forward line.

Mowbray has already stated that his side will need to score at least 70 goals if they are to compete at the top end of the division.

And despite bringing in prospective goals to his midfield, particularly with the additions of Peter Whittingham and Bradley Dack, the head coach knows he needs extra competition in attack.

Striker Graham was joint top scorer at Rovers last season with 12, but struggled with niggling injuries in the second half of the campaign.

But the 31-year-old has worked hard on his fitness throughout the summer and looks set to play a major part in leading the club’s challenge for promotion back to the Championship.

Twenty-eight-year Stokes endured a disappointing first year at Ewood Park after signing from Celtic on a three-year deal, making his last league start in August.

He has been linked with a return to Scottish Premiership side Hibernian on loan, but the Edinburgh side would need to strike a compromise with Rovers as the Easter Road side’s salary structure means they wouldn’t be able to fully cover Stokes’ wages.

Rovers have added four midfielders to their ranks so far this summer, with Corry Evans, Liam Feeney, Craig Conway and Elliott Bennett already under contract ahead of next season.

But Mowbray could explore the possibility of bringing in another wide player following the confirmed departure of Connor Mahoney to Premier League side Bournemouth this week.

The club’s quartet of new recruits could all get their first run out in Rovers colours this afternoon as Rovers kick off their pre-season schedule.

Mowbray men’s will travel to Barrow to face the National League side (3pm) before they head off to Austria for a week-long training camp in Salzburg.