BLACKBURN Rovers boss Gary Bowyer is aiming to bolster his defence in the loan market after being given the go-ahead by Venky’s to add to his squad.

Bowyer discussed the situation with the owners at the weekend after injuries to Matt Kilgallon and Tommy Spurr left him short in defence.

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Kilgallon is out of tonight’s League Cup tie at home to Scunthorpe United with a back problem and is already a doubt for Saturday’s league match at Blackpool, while Spurr faces at least a fortnight on the sidelines.

Bowyer said: “I’ve spoken with the board over the weekend and that’s something we’re going to try to look at and see who we can bring in and if we can.

“We’ve got to make a decision but it has to be the right type, we’re not just going to bring somebody in for the sake of it. It has to be somebody to improve the squad.

“We’re not blessed with numbers in terms of the defensive department, in terms of senior players I think we’re left with four senior defenders, then you’ve got your youngsters in Jack O’Connell and Yann Songo’o who went out last season and got loan experience.

“The owners have been very good with me ever since I came in. I fully understand the situation with Financial Fair Play and the money that they have ploughed into this football club.

“But whenever I’ve asked they’ve been very supportive.

“It’s a two-way thing because over the last year we’ve certainly helped them in terms of reducing the wage bill, and not just that, but also increasing the value of the squad.”

Bowyer confirmed that former West Ham United defender Jordan Spence and Benin goalkeeper Fabien Farnolle are no longer training with the club after both recently came in on trial.

He is still interested in Manchester United’s Michael Keane, who had a temporary spell with Rovers at the end of last season, but said he had heard no further news about whether Louis van Gaal was prepared to let the defender go back out on loan.

Reports in South Wales on Sunday night suggested Cardiff City and their boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, a former United player, are now confident of winning the race to land Keane on a season-long loan.

“I feel sorry for Manchester United and I feel sorry for Michael Keane because there’s a lot of speculation going on about it,” Bowyer said.

“Until Mr Van Gaal makes his mind up he’s still a Manchester United player.

“Michael has acquitted himself well in the games that I’ve watched while he was on their tour.

“We can try as hard as we want and Cardiff can try as hard as they want, but if Man United don’t want to loan him out or make a decision on that there’s nothing that both clubs can do.

“Nothing has changed from our point of view with it.

“He had a fantastic time here, he enjoyed it, the lads loved him and he’s grown as a player.

“You can see that with the level of his performances.”