TONY Mowbray wouldn’t be drawn on the identity, or positions, of his targets but admits his clamour for defenders isn’t as strong as it once was.

Rovers shipped 69 goals in their 46 matches last season which led to Mowbray promising changes during the summer window.

While additions are still expected in that area, the Rovers boss doesn’t perhaps see them as important as he once did given their haul of 13 points from their final six games.

That followed a run of just one win in 11, as Rovers’ season fell away.

Rovers missed out on target Patrick Bauer earlier this month as he joined Preston from Charlton Athletic.

When asked if defenders were top priority, given his previous comments, Mowbray told the Lancashire Telegraph: “I don’t want to talk about specifics and break it down.

"I did talk about the defenders towards the end of the season and when you look back we did concede too many goals.

“But there are reasons for that but I’m not sitting here worrying about that any more than other positions.

“The emotion of it all came across but what I will say that we’re looking to strengthen all areas of the team.”

It was a bizarre second half for the season who rose in to play-off contention, reaching eighth as they signed off January with four consecutive victory.

However, a 5-2 defeat at Brentford was the start of a dismal run for Mowbray’s men who took just four points from the next 33 available, conceding 22 goals in the process.

They won four games in a row again in April, with a draw on the final day against Swansea taking them to 60 points and 15th place.

Darragh Lenihan, injured for the majority of the poor run, will be key to any possible defensive turnaround next season, with Rovers desperate to keep hold of the 25-year-old despite Sheffield United remaining long-term admirers of the Republic of Ireland international.

Mowbray wants his side to build on last season’s mid-table position, and was buoyed by their end to the campaign.

He added: “I thought we finished the season strong and I liked how the team looked over the last six games of the season.

“We found a good balance and need to build on that.

“We are looking to strengthen in all areas and it’s not just a case of looking at the goals against column.

“We’re looking to play more with the ball and become more a ball retention side.

“If you keep the ball away from the opposition then you restrict their opportunities.

“We are working hard in all areas.”