Rovers endured a frustrating end to the transfer window after seeing two multi-million pound bids rejected.

Tony Mowbray made a late dash on deadline day to try and bring Nottingham Forest attacker Ben Brereton to Ewood Park with a bid in excess of £5m, but Rovers were knocked back by their Championship rivals.

The England youth international has found himself on the fringes of the first-team at the City Ground but is highly regarded.

QPR also rebuffed Rovers' advances for Luke Freeman, rejecting a £4m bid for the midfield playmaker.

Middlesbrough reignited their interest in the 26-year-old, who was third in the Championship assists list last season, but the Rs stood firm and held on to one of their prize assets.

Rovers are understood to have explored other avenues but will now turn to the loan market in a bid to strengthen their ranks.

Mowbray is still eyeing up to four more recruits, with Rovers confident of success between now and August 31 when the loan window closes, although new faces are unlikely before the first home game of the season against Millwall.

A striker remains the priority for the boss who will look to add to his forward line despite bringing in Adam Armstrong for £1.75m on Monday.

The 21-year-old, who scored nine times during a productive loan spell at Ewood Park last season, is set to be involved in the matchday squad for the match with Millwall.

Mowbray still wants more competition in the central striking role, with Danny Graham turning 33 next week.

Rovers’ summer business saw them bring in Joe Rothwell, Jacob Davenport and Armstrong, from Oxford United, Manchester City and Newcastle United respectively, while Kasey Palmer arrived on loan from Chelsea.

Mowbray has utilised the loan market to good effect in his managerial career, including at Rovers, after successful deals for Paul Downing, Jack Payne, Armstrong, Harry Chapman and Marcus Antonsson last term.

Mowbray has been open to the prospect of signing players on loan with a view to permanent deals at a later date to afford him more time to land his targets.

There were no outgoings on deadline day, though Rovers could now look to take advantage of interest in a number of their young players in the loan market once new faces have arrived.