Rovers are set to unveil a new signing this week and boss Tony Mowbray admits he could make up to four more additions before the end of the month.

The Ewood chief admitted last week he was targeting a quartet of new recruits, and that remains the case despite the permanent transfer window having closed.

Chelsea youngster Kasey Palmer is the only loan player on Rovers’ books, with teams allowed up to five loanees in a matchday squad.

Rovers failed with bids for QPR playmaker Luke Freeman and Nottingham Forest forward Ben Brereton on deadline day, meaning just four new faces have arrived since the end of last season.

But with the loan market open until August 31, Mowbray said: “I’m just trying to improve the group.

“I would hope by the middle of the week, before the weekend we’ll have added to our squad.

“We have to try and add quality on top of quality so the competition for places is fierce and if someone is not performing, or gets an injury, we have someone else who is champing at the bit to get in the team.

“Somewhere along the line you hopefully find a player that could be a long-term, high quality, footballer for your club. Sometimes young players need time to play before they are discovered.

“That’s what we are trying to unearth, some talented young players that can help us at this level.

“When you’re loaning footballers it’s difficult with the salary levels to go to the Premier League and loan experienced footballers because the salaries they earn.

“We’re asking questions. Potentially four more new additions, that doesn’t mean we’ll get four, but we’ll try our best and you’ll be able to feel that will create a lot of competition in the squad.

“I hope in all positions we’ll be able to increase that competition.”

Mowbray has utilised the loan market well during his time at Ewood Park, with Paul Downing and Adam Armstrong, having since made temporary moves permanent.

The boss is also open to including permanent clauses in to deals for any prospective loan signings 

He added: “We keep working on the other things in our squad which aren’t easy to put in place but conversations are ongoing every day. Let’s see how we progress them.

“We have one loan player at the moment, there’s a potential for four more to come in but let’s keep working away at it and see what happens before the end of the window.”