Rovers are hoping to add a striker to their ranks before tomorrow’s transfer deadline – with a loan deal most likely.

Boss Tony Mowbray has a primary target in mind as he looks to add competition to Danny Graham at the head of the Rovers attack, but that's not either of Charlie Austin or Britt Assombalonga who have been linked with moves this week.

Austin’s Southampton team-mate Sam Gallagher is a player Rovers have pursued for some time, with the 23-year-old having scored 12 goals during a previous loan spell at the club in 2016/17 and is the most likely name at the top of the list.

But Gallagher's availability could well hinge on Southampton bringing in a player of their own, having been linked with a move for Birmingham forward Che Adams.

Austin has fallen out of favour at Southampton and the 29-year-old striker has played just 18 times this season. The former Burnley man has 18 months left to go on the four-and-a-half year deal he signed when joining for £4m in January 2016 from QPR.

Assombalonga meanwhile, has nine goals for Middlesbrough this year, despite playing second fiddle to Jordan Hugill at the Riverside. But both he and Austin are currently on salaries significantly higher than Rovers’ current wage structure which would hamper the possibility of any deal.

“There are a few players that are circling the market with clubs and agents putting their names out there as being available,” Chief Executive Steve Waggott said of the links to Assombalonga and Austin.

“They are both quality players but they come at a price, and quite a significant price.

“If they are players that Tony is interested in then that’s something we would pursue but at the moment he has a primary target and let’s see if anything develops over the next 36 hours.”

Meanwhile, Rovers are not expecting any first team departures in this window, with just one addition through the door in Middlesbrough winger Harry Chapman who joined for an undisclosed fee on Monday.

The club have already allowed Paul Downing to leave for Doncaster Rovers on loan, while a number of the Under-23s squad have headed out on temporary deals.

On the possibility of incomings, Waggott added: "We have some irons in the fire but as ever in the transfer window there are other parts of the equation that have to move for us to potentially get closer to the targets we want.

"They have to be the right player though with the cohesive nature and character of the squad and Tony is very particular on who his targets could be and they have to be the right fit.

"We're still looking, we have brought Harry Chapman in but would like to bring one more in if at all possible."