Doncaster Rovers have reiterated their stance that it will take a significant bid to prise away captain Ben Whiteman amid interest from Rovers.

Championship rivals Barnsley are thought to have had three bids turned down for the central midfielder, and while Rovers are yet to bid for Whiteman, Tony Mowbray is a long-term admirer.

Doncaster won’t be forced into a sale, with Whiteman having three years left to run on his Keepmoat Stadium deal, and with seven-figure bids rejected last summer.

Sheffield United are also due a slice of any potential fee, agreed in the move which took Whiteman to Doncaster on a permanent deal in January 2018.

Earlier this month the League One side said they had fielded bids for their captain, but all knocked back, and would continue to be so unless an ‘exceptional’ offer was made.

Mowbray hinted he has watched Whiteman closely, and while goalkeeping and defensive additions are the priority, the uncertainty over whether Stewart Downing will sign a new deal, could leave Rovers in the market for a new midfielder should finances allow.

Whiteman has played 135 times for the League One side who will face Rovers in the first round of the Carabao Cup at Ewood Park after the two sides were paired together.

Meanwhile, Rovers have been linked with a move for Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Kieren Westwood.

The 35-year-old is the latest ‘keeper to be linked with a move to Ewood Park as Rovers' search for a new No.1 goes on.

Westwood would offer an experienced option, with 473 career appearances to his name, as well as 21 caps for the Republic of Ireland, across spells with Carlisle United, Coventry, Sunderland and the Owls where he has been since 2014.

He has been regarded as among the division’s best goalkeepers throughout his time at the club, but opportunities have been scarce in the last two seasons, playing just 35 times in all.

Westwood is available, having been frozen out at Hillsborough, not making a first-team appearance since losing his place to Cameron Dawson in November, two games after the 2-1 defeat at Ewood Park.

The one stumbling block, should Rovers pursue a move for Westwood, would be wages. He is in to the final year of his deal at Hillsborough, but his current wages are far in excess of Rovers’ pay structure.

To do a deal, it would require considerable compromise on the part of Westwood, Wednesday, or both.

Rovers have proven unwilling to break their wage structure since promotion to the Championship, and in the financial climate brought about by Covid-19 that is unlikely to change.

Former Rovers striker Jordan Rhodes is another player out of favour under Owls boss Garry Monk.