Rovers boss Tony Mowbray reiterated that funds are stretched at the club heading in to the January transfer window.

Mowbray’s side took just two points from a possible 12 over the festive period and have seen their squad become stretched by injuries, including the body blow of losing top scorer Bradley Dack for the season.

And while the transfer window has now re-opened, Rovers are unlikely to splash the cash this month to bring in fresh faces, according to their manager.

Neither are Rovers set to recall any of their trio of central defenders, Tyler Magloire, Scott Wharton or Matty Platt, from their loan spells at Rochdale, Northampton and Barrow respectively to boost numbers.

“If the right one comes along and the right deal we can look at that. But we’re not sat here sitting here with a treasure chest to be able to bring lots of players in,” Mowbray said of this month’s likely activity.

Magloire has since returned to the League One club after treatment at Rovers and started each of their last two matches.  Wharton has starred for Northampton in League Two, while Platt will spend the season with National League high-fliers Barrow.

Derrick Williams returned to the squad at Nottingham Forest as defensive cover, but with Ryan Nyambe injured, and the ongoing problems at left back, Rovers aren’t blessed with great numbers at the back

But Mowbray said: “Tyler has been injured and just gone back, I watch Scott Wharton’s games for Northampton, Matty Platt is in non-league. We’re playing away at Nottingham Forest, the City Ground, a full stadium, it’s a bit different from playing in League Two.

“You need men to do the job, especially in this league. The reason they’re out on loan is because their bodies haven’t developed yet.

“They’re learning their trade lower down the leagues.”