Tony Mowbray admits signing a striker is high on his priority list as he bids to strengthen his squad ahead of the new season.

The Rovers boss is keen to add competition for places in attack with only Dominic Samuel, Danny Graham and Joe Nuttall on the books as things stand.

Mowbray said he was working hard to bring in a frontman but admitted he would have to be patient in his recruitment.

The Ewood chief is exploring Premier League loan signings but the World Cup has delayed possible moves.

“It is difficult because the Premier League teams have just come back, they have only been back a day or two,” Mowbray said.

“There are players that we have identified and looked at. The Premier League clubs have just come back and they are generally taking their young players with them because their international players are not back yet.

“The players that probably will be available to go out on loan are not available at the moment. We have to be patient at the moment.”

Rovers’ need for a striker was reiterated in Saturday’s friendly draw with Port Vale. Danny Graham missed the game with a knock so Dominic Samuel led the line in the first half before Joe Nuttall was given a chance in the second.

And Mowbray felt his side lacked a cutting edge up front at Vale Park, something he is confident he will address before the season opener at Ipswich Town in three weeks.

“I would have to say we were short on the strikers,” he said after the Vale Park clash.

“It wasn’t a 90-minute day for Samuel because he missed the Hibs game but he needs to get some game time. Danny Graham is obviously missing so we didn’t have the rotation of the front players.

“That ultimately explains why we didn’t have enough cutting edge in a game where we had lots of the ball but no shots really. It was a bit frustrating.

“But we are working hard behind the scenes to try and add some reinforcements in that part of the pitch.”

Asked if up front was the key area to address Mowbray added: “Yeah, it was evident (at Port Vale). Without Danny playing we were a bit light in making changes.

“In an ideal world you would want a minimum of four and we only had three today if you count Bradley (Dack) as an attacker.

“We were a bit light in that area, we are working hard and I am pretty confident we will have reinforcements over the next few weeks.”