Rovers remain keen to strengthen their defensive ranks – with a deal for Tosin Adarabioyo having developed in to something of a transfer saga.

Tony Mowbray remains confident of securing the signature of the 21-year-old who spent last season with West Bromwich Albion.

Rovers had hoped the deal would be announced earlier this week, but are hopeful that can be tied up in the early part of next week, with a medical still needing to be undertaken.

Mowbray revealed there is a chance that two defenders could arrive before the season opener with Charlton.

While Adarabioyo is one confirmed target, German Robin Bormuth has emerged as a possibility possibility, while former captain Grant Hanley, now at Norwich, remains on the radar.

Bormuth is currently at Fortuna Dusseldorf and has 12 months remaining on his contract.

The pacy central defender featured in 10 Bundesliga games last season and was linked with a move away from the club earlier in the season, with no contract talks appearing to be on the horizon.

In all, he has played 57 times for Fortuna since making his debut in August 2016.

Rovers have invested in their recruitment department within the last 12 months in a bid to identify overseas talent.

Mowbray has made trips to the continent to scout prospective signings, though Rovers are yet to make any additions from overseas.

They were keen on a move for Adam Maher, a central midfielder at AZ Alkmaar and available on a free transfer, but he opted to make the switch to Vitesse Arnhem.

Deals for a goalkeeper and playmaker from Bundesliga II have were also worked on, but have since fallen away.

So Bortmuth would represent the first overseas signing of the summer should a deal be agreed.

“We have probably covered two European countries this year pretty thoroughly,” said Mowbray, referring to Holland Germany.

"We have been pretty disappointed early in the window that some pretty big targets for us who would have been main players for us slipped through our fingers.

"We had conversations with some foreign clubs about recruiting some of their players but they are big decisions for footballers to up their families to leave the country to come to the English Championship which might be perceived as a league two for them and they are massive decisions.

"But that process will continue and we will spread the tentacles further into Europe and more countries whilst still covering this country.

“We are working really hard at the moment to try and find players that will help our team moving forward.”