ROVERS are hopeful that defensive duo Darragh Lenihan and Charlie Mulgrew will be fit for the League One opener at Southend United – and insist the pair are not for sale.

Mulgrew and Lenihan both sat out last night’s friendly at Carlisle United with niggles, as did midfielder Ben Gladwin, with Rovers not wanting to risk the trio ahead of next weekend’s trip to Roots Hall.

Mulgrew is attracting interest from Sheffield Wednesday, while Rovers have already rejected bids from Sheffield United for Lenihan, but Tony Mowbray has taken a strong stance throughout the summer and has stressed the club don’t need to sell any player.

Of interest in his key men, he said this week: “There’s a few people looking at our players at the moment and thinking we are vulnerable, but my message is loud and clear, we are not vulnerable financially.”

In their absence, Rovers succumbed to a 3-1 defeat against the League Two side, and looked less than secure at the back.

"They are both carrying little knocks, we left them at home and didn't bring them and it's important they get themselves ready to train hopefully at the start of next week," said of Mulgrew and Lenihan.

"Fingers crossed they will be ready for the weekend.

"They are important footballers for the club, not just their abilities but their leadership qualities on the pitch.

"I think they probably would have played if it were a league game but there was no need to risk anyone."

Mulgrew is thought to be one of a number of central defensive options being considered by Wednesday, with boss Carlos Carvalhal revealing this week they have looked at over 200 potential targets already this summer.

But wary of Financial Fair Play, the Owls aren’t expected to overspend this summer.

Mulgrew and Lenihan both have two years left on their contracts, while Rovers have already issued a hands-off warning to QPR over their pursuit of midfielder Elliott Bennett.

And it is incomings which are on the mind of Mowbray, who is looking to supplement his squad with four new additions before the transfer window closes next month.

Rovers are looking to make it a short stay in League One, after relegation from the Championship last term, and Mowbray sees both Lenihan and Mulgrew as key to their chances of winning immediate promotion.

Lenihan sat out the friendly at Carlisle, as he did at Grimsby Town on Tuesday, with a sore knee, but has played 90 minutes twice already in pre-season, as has Mulgrew, with Mowbray not keen to risk them ahead of the season opener next weekend.

Mulgrew’s form in his 30 Rovers outings last season earned him a return to the Scotland squad, playing 90 minutes in each of their last three games, including a 2-2 draw against England last month at Hampden Park.

And despite relegation from League One, Mulgrew is understood to be still part of Scotland boss Gordon Strachan’s plans for their remaining four World Cup qualifiers which take place in September and October.