STEVE Kean admits Blackburn Rovers might have to start paying over the odds in the transfer market after insisting his depleted squad still needs at least four new signings.

Rovers squad’s lack of depth was starkly highlighted in Saturday’s opening day 2-1 defeat at home to Wolves and Kean warns frustrations in the transfer market can’t continue.

Gael Givet’s withdrawal through illness on Saturday saw Kean without a fit centre half, leaving Steven Nzonzi to be drafted in as makeshift defender, and the Rovers boss admits strengthening in that area is a must early this week.

He said he was hopeful of agreeing a fee for an unnamed defender imminently but admits Rovers’ current transfer policy might have to change.

He is also desperate to add a striker, midfielder and another defender as well – having so far only brought three players in this summer, despite club owner’s Venky’s promises of a ‘very healthy’ transfer budget.

Kean said: “We probably could have done our business quicker if we had paid over the odds.

"We have put in bids of what we thought were realistic bids and they are not coming off.

"Maybe we have to pay over the odds to ensure we get players here.

“We're still trying to get players in. We've lost 11 players and those salaries tot up.

"We're trying to get players in to get us to an equal playing field to where we were last year.

“I'm not saying it's going to be 11 bodies in, but on the salary front we have to make sure we get quality and senior players. That's what we need.

“We need at least one centre half, maybe two. We need another midfielder and another striker. That's at least four - at least.”

Mauro Formica fired Rovers ahead on 20 minutes on Saturday with a debut Premier League goal but a strike in each half from Stephen Fletcher and Stephen Ward left the hosts tasting opening day defeat.

Kean’s lack of options forced him to name a hugely inexperienced substitutes bench and, having so far failed to add experience this summer, the Rovers boss knows his young guns need some help, Kean said: “What we do now is work closely with the owners and directors to get some players in.

"It takes the pressure off the boys.

“If it puts pressure on me, then fine. That's my job.

"What I don't want to do is put pressure on the young players.

“It's thin, it's inexperienced. I want to take the pressure off them by helping them and ensuring we have other options in their positions.

“Of course I'm happy to have it on my shoulders. We want to show people we are actively bidding but the stats are what they are.

"We've lost 11 and we've only got in three.

“When you tot the wages up of the 11 that have left it's a vast amount of money.

"We need to make sure we have a competitive squad within budget and that's what we'll be doing.”