Tony Mowbray re-iterated ‘the phone didn’t ring’ for Adam Armstrong in the January transfer window amid more links with West Ham.

The Hammers, and boss David Moyes, have been the side most linked with the 23-year-old over the course of the last year, interest in Armstrong having started as early as last January.

Rovers are yet to receive an offer for their 18-goal top scorer however, Mowbray confirming that on the eve of the window closing, despite several calls from Premier League managers.

One of those is likely to have been from Moyes, with reports over the weekend outlining the Hammers boss has stepped up his side’s scouting of Armstrong ahead of a potential move in the summer.

QPR boss Mark Warburton described Armstrong as ‘a Premier League striker’ but Rovers will be determined to do all they can to keep him at the club.

He has another 18 months left on the four-year deal he signed when joining from Newcastle United in 2018, following a productive loan spell, for £1.75m from Newcastle United.

Rovers are trying to extend that contrast, not least to protect their best asset, beyond the 2022 expiry date.

Their hopes of doing so could well hint on the remaining 19 games of this season as Rovers look to claim a top six spot, currently sitting eighth in the standings.

Getting Armstrong back firing will be key to their chances having scored three times in his last 12 Championship, compared with 14 in his opening 14 times. In all, Armstrong has scored 53 times in 146 matches for the club across his permanent and loan spells.

Rovers have made just one seven-figure sale since Mowbray’s arrival four years ago, that being David Raya to Brentford in 2019 for £3m, and their summer business could hinge on the possibility of a sale, but there is also the prospect of a high turnover of players with 13 senior members of the squad out of contract.

Mowbray said of a lack of interest in Armstrong in the window: “Am I surprised? Probably yes. I’m not disappointed, but am I surprised? I thought the phone might have rung. I’ve had a conversation with a couple of Premier League managers but they’ve not been pushy, just enquired.”

West Ham failed to add to their striking ranks in January, despite the departure of big-money buy Sebastien Haller to Ajax. Moyes is said to be an admirer of Armstrong and may look to pursue a deal in the summer.

Newcastle United will too have an eye on any possible interest given the sell-on clause included in the deal that saw Armstrong leave St James’ Park two-and-a-half years ago.