BLACKBURN Rovers will tell Mauro Formica’s former employers the Argentine midfielder is not for sale – as interest grows in a number of the club’s foreign imports.

Newell’s Old Boys are understood to be keen on bringing Formica back to Argentina having sold him to Rovers for in the region of £3.5million in January 2011.

But Rovers believe the 24-year-old has a key role to play in attempting to revive the club’s flagging promotion hopes and are likely to rebuff any formal interest in him.

Interest has been received from clubs abroad in summer signings Nuno Henrique and Diogo Rosado, with neither yet to establish themselves in the first team squad.

Portuguese centre back Henrique has yet to feature for the first team, having been brought to Ewood Park from Academica in August by global advisor Shebby Singh.

Italian Serie A ouftit Siena are understood to have enquired about the defender’s availability, with Henrique himself frustrated at a lack of opportunity this season.

Singh also played an instrumental role in bringing Portuguese midfielder Diogo Rosado to Rovers in August, signing him from Sporting Lisbon after lengthy negotiations.

The 22-year-old has briefly featured for the first team, and was on the substitutes bench for Saturday’s defeat at Blackpool, but will want more chances to impress if he is to stay in East Lancashire.

Portuguese top flight outfit Braga are believed to be ready to offer cash for the playmaker in an attempt to lure him back.

Singh is keen for both players to remain at Rovers, having been behind their signings during Steve Kean’s regime, but the duo are believed to be frustrated at a lack of playing time.

Sources close to Formica have told the Lancashire Telegraph the player would consider a return ‘home’ if Rovers and Newell’s Old Boys agreed a price, but that prospect is unlikely.

Boss Berg is expected to bring some new faces to Ewood next month, with Manchester United loanee Josh King set to be the first permanent signing.

Exits are also inevitable as Rovers bid to freshen things up with their promotion hopes fading rapidly.