Tony Mowbray revealed he tried to sign Billy Bodin from tomorrow’s opponents Bristol Rovers during the January transfer window.

And after being given a scare in the reverse fixture at Ewood Park, Mowbray expects a tough test at the Memorial Stadium this weekend.

Rovers needed a late turnaround to record a 2-1 victory earlier in the season after trailing to an Ellis Harrison goal.

Darrell Clarke’s side still have an outside chance of making the play-offs, sitting seven points off the top six, but the Ewood boss admits that whatever the Gas’ aims their players have enhanced reputations this season.

That includes Bodin who opted to move to Championship side Preston North End in January after 11 goals in the first half of the season.

Ahead of their return fixture, Mowbray said: “They are all decent teams in this league.

“Everyone who has come to Ewood has given us a difficult game.

“A few times we have managed to make it easier by scoring some early goals but they are all difficult games.

“Bristol Rovers have some players who have built reputations this year, the lad Harrison up front has scored a few goals for them, they lost Bodin in the last window and he’s gone on to Preston.

“He was someone we had a few conversations on with his advisors.

“I like talented footballers, individuals who can score and create goals, so we’re always interested in good players and Billy Bodin fitted in to that category.

“Every footballer has a decision to make on where they go and what they do, and we move on.

“There are a lot of good footballers out there and the key to good recruitment is picking the right ones who fit in with what you’re trying to do, how you play, do they carry the right work ethic, have they got the right quality that aligns with the team?”

Rovers have won eight of their last 10 matches, drawing the other two after Tuesday’s 0-0 stalemate at Gillingham.

One more victory in their final four away games will eclipse the previous club record of 12 away victories in a season.

The League One promotion hunting trio have had a staggered schedule of late but Mowbray said that has not affected his preparations for tomorrow’s game.

He added: “Our focus is Bristol Rovers, making sure we get down there, rested up, prepared for the next game.

“The fact whether it’s home or away doesn’t matter to us at this moment in time, it’s just the next game.

“We’ll go there and be as positive as we have all season on the road and believe that is what we will go there and do.”