The transfer window may have just closed, but the links to players ahead of the summer window has already started.

With a host of players out of contract at Ewood Park, plans will already be taking shape behind the scenes, targets identified as Rovers look to restructure their squad.

That has happened already with the signing of Harry Pickering, the Crewe Alexandra left back set to arrive permanently in the summer having agreed a four year contract on deadline day.

That is the first piece of the jigsaw for next season, while Rovers are looking to tie down some of their first-team regulars to new deals.

Midfield is one area of the pitch in which Rovers have several players whose deals expire at the end of this season, including Bradley Johnson, Lewis Holtby, Corry Evans, Stewart Downing and Joe Rothwell, while Tom Trybull’s loan deal from Norwich City will also be at an end.

Rovers do have Lewis Travis, Jacob Davenport and John Buckley under contract for next season, but as things stand, would require strengthening in that position.

And they have again been linked with Ipswich Town midfielder Andre Dozzell.

Indeed, it is suggested that Rovers assistant Mark Venus was due to watch the Tractor Boys’ game at Shrewsbury Town on Saturday, prior to it being postponed for a frozen pitch, however that is unlikely to be the sole reason for the trip, with Rovers winger Harry Chapman on loan at the Montgomery Waters Meadow.

It is not the first time Rovers have been links with 21-year-old, and that is unsurprising given Tony Mowbray, and Venus’, connections with the Suffolk club having been part of their 1999/2000 promotion winning team.

Dozzell has played 25 times this season, the second most of any Ipswich player, and already his most in a single campaign since making his debut way back in April 2016.

Capped at Under-20 level by England, Dozzell has long been tipped for a bright future, but he has had a stop-start career so far.

He is under contract at Portman Road until 2024, with the option of a further 12 months.

Rovers did consider the possibility of a move for a midfielder in January, albeit on loan, however, already having six loan players on their books ended that search before it ever really began.

They had previously looked at Manchester United youngster James Garner last summer, he eventually opting for Watford before a mid-season switch to Nottingham Forest.

Fellow United youngster Dylan Levitt was also mentioned in dispatches, but has since signed for Croatian side Nogometni Klub Istra 1961 for the remainder of the season.