STEVE Kean has been told there is no bumper transfer ‘war chest’ available to him next month – as owner’s Venky’s consider selling some of Rovers’ prized assets to finance any squad rebuild.

Ahead of the trip to Old Trafford, Kean has called for his owners’ financial backing to strengthen his depleted squad but is expected to be disappointed by the cash available.

Venky’s have vowed to do everything they can to finance the arrival of at least four new players but are unlikely to give the green light to any significant signings without the sale of some of their current stars.

The club’s recently published accounts showed an £18million pre-tax loss and Venky’s are keen to balance the books, with Barclays Bank calling for their debt to be reduced as well.

Venky’s are also keen to reduce the club’s crippling wage bill, which stood at a wage to turnover ratio 86.6 per cent at the end of June, with Michel Salgado and Jason Roberts both understood to be among those players available in January.

Without selling, Kean may be forced to rely mostly on the signing of loan players, and is yet to be given the go-ahead to complete deals for Andy Johnson and Chris Gunter.

An option being seriously considered by Rovers is the sale of in-demand Canadian starlet Junior Hoilett, as negotiations over his new contract continue to stall.

Hoilett is out of contract in the summer and Rovers are not keen on relying on a tribunal deciding how much they would receive in compensation for their former academy product.

Chris Samba is also expected to be in demand in the next few months but the Rovers’ skipper is seen as a key figure in the club’s Premier League survival bid.

Steven Nzonzi is another player understood to be in rivals sights while Mauro Formica is reported to be keen on quitting Ewood Park.

This comes as another blow to Rovers’ Premier League survival hopes with owners Venky’s yet to deliver on the promises they made when buying the club.