Elliott Bennett remains an important member of the Rovers squad as Tony Mowbray refuted speculation about a possible move to Shrewsbury Town on deadline day.

Reports in Shropshire said the League One club were keen to make a move for the Rovers captain and were even confident that a move could get done before Monday’s deadline.

However, Rovers never received any contact from Shrewsbury, who took Harry Chapman on loan earlier in the window, with Bennett boosting his fitness with minutes for the Under-23s at Leicester City on Monday. That was his second appearance for Billy Barr’s side having been out since October with an ankle ligament injury.

Bennett, an unused substitute last weekend, has played just 12 minutes for the senior side this season, but he remains a key part of the club in the eyes of his manager.

He is one of several senior players out of contract in the summer, with Mowbray acknowledging big decisions lie ahead for the club

He said: “His agent rang me and said, to put my mind at rest, had I seen all this stuff about Shrewsbury Town.

“It was news to me, I’d never seen it.

“It was putting my mind at rest, he wasn’t sure where it had come from, he wasn’t sure about it, and he didn’t know whether we’d instigated it.

“I have spoken to Elliott the last couple of days, he played for the Under-23s on Monday night at Leicester and it was never in my mind.

“Elliott Bennett is an important part of our group, he’s a club captain who drives the dressing room.

“You’ve all heard the saying you’re only as good as your senior professionals, keeping the dressing room in order, and that’s what Elliott does.

“And when he’s asked to play in any position he gives 100 per cent.

“I see him as a very important player for our club.”