Rovers are already eyeing up players for the January window – including the possibility of pre-contract deals.

Recruitment chief John Park has been tasked with identifying players heading into the final months of their contracts, a tactic the club have used in previous winter windows.

Park has an extensive knowledge of football north of the border, with Rovers continuing to be linked with Aberdeen forward Ryan Hedges whose deal with the Dons expires next summer.

Rovers were knocked back in their pursuit of the 26-year-old in the summer, but a pre-contract deal could be struck with the Wales international in January where an extra attacking option will be among the priorities.

A loan move for Bordeaux striker Josh Maja fell down on deadline day because of a back injury, and while that could still be revisited, the Englishman has only just returned to training and yet to get any minutes under his belt.

Rovers made only one permanent signing in the summer, with Tayo Edun a £500,000 addition from Lincoln City on deadline day, with the 23-year-old enjoying a promising start to life at Ewood Park.

However, the club failed to replace striker Adam Armstrong who was sold to Southampton for an initial £15m, though his absence hasn’t been felt as much as expected given the form of Ben Brereton.

Maja had been identified as first-choice option, only for that deal to fall through, while the pursuit of Michael Obafemi also failing to materialise into a move after he joined Southampton.

In the end, Rovers added four loan signings, as well as Edun, with Reda Khadra and Ian Poveda the two attacking additions from Brighton and Leeds respectively, however game-time has been limited for both.

Hedges would offer flexibility across the forward line, and although yet to score in his six league appearances this season, he has chipped in with two assists in his last two outings and netted twice in European competition.

The 26-year-old has three Wales caps, but is keen to push for further international honours and hasn’t committed to a new deal at Pittodrie.

He is in his third year at the club, scoring eight times and chalking up 12 assists in 53 appearances, since signing from Barnsley in 2019, with reported interest also from Middlesbrough and Cardiff City.

As for Maja, the back issue that was flagged up during his Rovers medical has continued to keep him out of action, and yet to feature in a Bordeaux squad, though he has now returned to training.

While Rovers will check on his availability again, any prospective move could well be fitness depending.

Meanwhile, Joe Rothwell is one whose future is uncertain, with Rangers linked with a January move for the midfielder who is out of contract next summer.

The 26-year-old was targeted by Rovers in similar fashion in January 2017, when his deal at Oxford United was drawing to and, and although a deal couldn’t be struck, he joined in the next window.

Rovers hope for positive news on their own contract negotiations ahead of the January window, with Darragh Lenihan, Rothwell, Ryan Nyambe and Ben Brereton among those who have been offered new deals.