Rovers have enquired about the availability of Stoke City right back Tom Edwards – but strengthening in central defence remains Tony Mowbray’s priority.

Cedric Kipre looks set to answer the long-awaited question about his next move by signing for West Bromwich Albion from Wigan Athletic, despite Rovers agreeing a £900,000 fee with the Latics’ administrators for the 23-year-old.

Wigan’s perilous financial position allowed for Rovers to agree a fee which would have represented excellent value, but striking a deal with Kipre through his representatives was always going to be difficult for Rovers given his wage demands.

In the end, a package worth around double what Rovers could offer was put forward by the Baggies who are set to announce the Ivorian as their player this week

Rovers remain in the market for two central defenders after the loan deal with Manchester City for Tosin Adarabioyo expired at the end of last season, the 22-year-old having been a key man alongside Darragh Lenihan in the heart of the Rovers defence last season.

Two other central defensive targets were understood to be under consideration at the time of Rovers’ move for Kipre, including Stoke City outcast Liam Lindsay who had been tracked during his time with Barnsley.

Liverpool’s Nat Phillips is the latest name to be linked to Rovers, but Mowbray’s preference would be for a permanent option in that area.

In addition, Rovers are also understood to have enquired about 21-year-old Edwards, who also has interest from two other Championship sides.

The Stafford-born full back has played 46 times in the Championship for Stoke, but the last of those came in December 2019 and he has made just one appearance in a matchday squad in 2020 having fallen out of favour at the bet365 Stadium.

He would be open to a loan move, with still four years left to run on his contract with the Potters, although that did come prior to the arrival of boss Michael O’Neill who has allowed Edwards to drift out of the first-team picture.

Rovers will prioritise central defenders in this window, after landing a first-choice goalkeeper in the form of Thomas Kaminski from AA Gent. A back-up option will be brought in to allow Andrew Fisher the opportunity to go out on loan, with former Accrington Stanley man Rob Elliot having been mentioned as one option after his release by Newcastle United, with other free agents being looked at.

A move for a right back would be a surprise, with Ryan Nyambe the first choice in that position, though they did try and recruit in that area in January, only for a loan move for Chelsea youngster Tariq Lamptey to fall through as he opted to sign for Brighton on a permanent deal.

However, Namibia international Nyambe is in to the final year of his deal at Ewood Park and has struggled for fitness in recent times, limited to 30 starts in the Championship last term, although the club want to tie him down to an extended deal.

He was in the squad for the Carabao Cup win over Doncaster where Joe Rankin-Costello was preferred to captain Elliott Bennett in the right back slot.

Rankin-Costello, who scored his first senior goal at the weekend, has also filled in at left back, a position Rovers too are keen to recruit in which would allow the 21-year-old to flourish further up the pitch in his more natural position.

Rovers are also expected to see departures in defence, as well as additions, with the emergence of several young central defenders likely to spell the end of Charlie Mulgrew’s time at the club.

Portsmouth are thought to have cooled their interest in the 34-year-old, though League One counterparts Fleetwood Town are thought to be monitoring his situation.

Derrick Williams is also likely to move on should Rovers’ valuation for the Republic of Ireland international to be met, with Swansea City along with DC United and LA Galaxy keen on his signature.

The arrival of striker Conor McBride from Celtic fills the hole that Rovers have been looking for within their Under-23s set-up and will allow Jack Vale and Dan Butterworth, once fit, to push more towards the first-team picture.