ROVERS boss Tony Mowbray is hoping to get a couple of deals over the line on what could be a busy transfer deadline day at Ewood Park.

The Ewood boss is keen to bolster his squad ahead of the 11pm deadline with a priority on central defence and midfield.

Rovers have seen a bid rejected for Motherwell defender Ben Heneghan, with the Fir Park side standing firm, understood to want in the region of £500,000 for the 23-year-old. Rovers remain keen on the former Chester man but do have other defensive targets.

Rovers may also revisit a loan move for West Brom youngster Rakeem Harper. Mowbray had hoped to bring the highly-rated 17-year-old to East Lancashire earlier in the window but the midfielder forced his way into Tony Pulis’ matchday squad, making his Premier League debut on August 12.

But the Baggies’ loan signing of Grzegorz Krychowiak from PSG could open the door Harper to move.

“I’m hoping to be busy,” Mowbray said ahead of deadline day.

“Hopefully we can get some business done and after Thursday night that’s what we’ve got to go in to the campaign with until January.

“We are talking to a few clubs and I think it’s best I leave it at that.

“We’re trying really hard to add to the group, I have spoken about how short of numbers we are, if we can find one that will impact on the starting XI that would be great.

“If we’re just trying to beef up the squad, knowing that we will pick up injuries and suspensions along the way then we’re looking to make that happen as well.

“Mainly it’s to create competition for all positions on the pitch so the back players don’t feel as though as they are automatic choices, or the midfielders and strikers the same.

“We’re just looking to add competition in all areas.”

Mowbray has hinted there could be an outgoing ahead of the deadline, but it is understood there have not been any formal approaches for striker Danny Graham.

The 32-year-old has been linked with a host of Championship clubs, but Rovers aren’t actively looking to sell the experienced striker who scored 13 goals last term.

When asked if Graham would be a Rovers player after the deadline, Mowbray said: “I hope so.

“What I would say, he hasn’t played the last few games but his record for scoring goals at the club is really good and as long as he’s up for the challenge of competing with (Dominic) Samuel, (Marcus) Antonsson and potentially (Joe) Nuttall, all of those players who play in and around the attacking areas of the pitch, then we are happy to have him here and hopefully he can play his part and help us be successful.”

However, Mowbray, who has ruled out an Ewood return for Preston midfielder Paul Gallagher, admits there could be a departure before the deadline, but only if the deal suited all parties.

“If it does then it’s because it’s right for the player, it’s right for the club, not standing in anyone’s way if I don’t think they are going to have as much game-time for us as they might hope they would do,” he added.