BLACKBURN Rovers are not weighing up an offer from Championship rivals Brighton & Hove Albion for winger Ben Marshall.

It was reported last night that the Seagulls had tabled a £1.5m bid for the former England U21s international.

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But, while it is understood that Brighton did make an enquiry about Marshall last week, they were told that Rovers were not interested in selling.

The 24-year-old has also been linked with a move back to Sheffield Wednesday, where he enjoyed a successful loan spell three years ago, during the transfer window.

But Marshall told the Lancashire Telegraph last week that he has no plans to leave Rovers.

He said: “I’m happy here and I’ve got no plans to be going anywhere.”

Rovers have lost 12 players with first-team experience since the end of last season.

That means Gary Bowyer currently has just 18 outfield players who have made first-team appearances for the club, including youngsters Darragh Lenihan, John O’Sullivan and Connor Mahoney, in his squad.

Rovers boss Bowyer is therefore anxious to bolster his ranks.

He is attempting to strengthen his midfield options and to that end he will continue to run the rule over trialists Dean Furman, Giles Coke and Sacha Petshi during this week’s warm-weather training camp in Portugal.

And, with Josh King having turned down a new contract to sign for Bournemouth, and with doubts surrounding Rudy Gestede’s future, Bowyer also wants to add to his attacking options.

He was yesterday linked with a move for Manchester City’s Jordi Hiwula.

But, with Rovers under a Financial Fair Play embargo, the only way they would be able to sign the 20-year-old is if City decide to send him out on loan.

At the weekend Bowyer was credited with interest in Hugo Rodallega following his release from Fulham.

But it is understood the Ewood Park chief had not spoken to Rodallega at the time and it was reported yesterday that the Colombia international is on his way to Turkey to sign for Akhisar Belediyespor.

Rovers currently have just one recognised senior striker fully fit in Chris Brown after Gestede and his strike-partner Jordan Rhodes sustained injuries.

Gestede took a bang to his knee in training on Friday.

He sat out Saturday’s pre-season opener at Accrington Stanley and was not part of the Rovers party that flew out to the Algarve yesterday.

Neither was Rhodes who instead underwent a scan to determine the extent of the ankle injury he suffered in the 2-0 win over Stanley.

Rovers return to England on Sunday and will resume their pre-season programme away to League One outfit Rochdale, who are managed by their former defender Keith Hill, next Tuesday (7.30pm).

Admission at Spotland will be £10 for adults and £5 for under 16s.