Tony Mowbray says strengthening in attack isn’t his priority in the January transfer window – despite being linked two forwards this week.

Rovers are expected to concentrate on adding a goalkeeper, a left back, and possibly a central defender with Mowbray keen to create competition.

First-choice goalkeeper Christian Walton is only on loan, as is central defender Tosin Adarabioyo, while full back Greg Cunningham will miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury.

Rovers are one of several clubs to be linked with a possible January loan move for Liverpool attacker Rhian Brewster, while they have also been credited with interest in Ross County striker Ross Stewart.

And while not ruling out the prospect of an attacking player arriving next month, Mowbray says his priorities will lie elsewhere.

He told the Lancashire Telegraph: “Do I think we can create competition in centre forward? I’m not sitting here thinking that’s a priority for us, no. I think we have other areas of the pitch that we need to prioritise.

“I think we can strengthen in certain areas. When I say strengthen I mean create competition.

“Let’s wait and see.

“As I’ve always said, in transfer windows everything has to work, you have to find the players that will improve your group with the right mentality, right personality, that fit in to your budget.

“Sometimes there’s a lot of criteria that have to come together and it’s not always easy.

“If the right players, at the right price, and the opportunity comes along then we will try and strengthen in January.

“If not, we’ll keep going with the group we’ve got.”

Rovers have added to their forward line in each of the last two transfer windows.

In January they sealed the £6m permanent signature of Ben Brereton from Nottingham Forest, and spent another £5m to bring in Sam Gallagher from Southampton in July.

Danny Graham has started each of the last two matches as the central striker, and will be aiming for a third consecutive start when Derby County arrive at Ewood Park this afternoon.

Mowbray stated last month that having missed out on two overseas goalkeepers, who would have been permanent additions, in the summer that Rovers would continue their search for a long-term replacement for David Raya.

Four players have also filled in at left back since losing Cunningham to injury for the season, and having loaned out Charlie Mulgrew to Wigan, they could also look to strengthen in central defence when the window re-opens.

  • Derby could be handed a boost for their trip to Ewood Park with Krystian Bielik pushing for a return from injury.

The Polish international has trained with the squad ahead of the game having not featured since the defeat to Fulham on November 26.

Boss Phillip Cocu has a number of other injuries to contend with, so the return of the 21-year-old, able to play in defence or midfield, would be a welcome boost.

Bielik has played 16 times since a big-money summer move from Arsenal, but Cocu says he won’t take any chances ahead of what is a busy festive period for Championship clubs.

He said: “Krystian is progressing well. He trained for most of the session with the team and prepared a little bit longer before the session with the physical coach too.

“It is looking promising.

“He has to be fit but also fit enough to travel, play at 100 per cent and there are a lot of games coming up too.

“We have to make sure everybody stays fit, especially at the moment when we are struggling with a lot of injuries.”

Elsewhere, Tom Huddersfield and Matt Clarke are both making good progress.

Huddlestone has been out of action since the start of October with a hamstring problem, while Clarke picked up a knee injury in the defeat at Nottingham Forest in early November.

However, Graeme Shinnie (hamstring), Mason Bennett (ankle) and Ikechi Anya (calf) remain out of action for the Rams.