Tony Mowbray says owners Venky’s are adamant that Joe Rothwell won’t be sold before Monday’s transfer window.

Rothwell didn’t travel with the squad to Luton Town as uncertainty remains over his future.

The midfielder is out of contract in the summer and has had interest from a number of clubs looking to take him before Monday’s 11pm window.

Rovers have turned down a number of bids for the 27-year-old, including from promotion rivals Bournemouth, and Mowbray says the only way that Rothwell will be allowed to leave is Rovers can line up replacements who will strengthen the squad.

Asked about Rothwell’s absence, Mowbray said: “There’s a bit more to it.

“I was a footballer for over 20 years and I only moved twice in my career.

“They can mess your brain about a little bit and he’s seen all the speculation, who’s to say he’s not spoken to a manager who’s promised him this and that. His agent will definitely know what a deal would be.

“At this moment, I’ve had long chats with Joe.

“It was a dual decision. If a kid is struggling and there’s a potential deal that could change the rest of his life and he wants to see.

“I don’t him want him on this pitch if we’re having to fight for our lives and I sit there and question him.

“I didn’t want to do that so we left him at home.

“Once the window closes, it will be a different conversation and if he’s still here than I will expect and his team-mates will expect 100 per cent every single game.”

Mowbray had a meeting with Rothwell on Thursday and the manager says the decision was taken between the pair for him not to travel to Kenilworth Road.

Unless Rovers owners Venky’s change their stance, Rothwell will still be a Rovers player once when the window shuts.

But Mowbray says the midfielder has outlined he would like to speak with interested clubs.

“He’s expressed a desire to have the conversation with them,” Mowbray added.

“I know the way football works, not him, but his advisors will have definitely had the conversation already.

“He’s just playing the game.

“I understand, I wouldn’t criticise, I wouldn’t want our supporters coming down on the wrong side of him of Joe Rothwell, it’s football.

“I ultimately make the decision, I could have told him he’s coming on the bus but I told him to stay at home, get today out of the way and then we’ll talk again and see.

“On Tuesday, let’s see.

“I’ve talked through the scenario. The owners are pretty adamant that Joe Rothwell isn’t getting sold. The slight grey area is that we could add two 23 or 24-year-old players who were two really talented players in this league, why wouldn’t we do it now?

“Why would we not use the Rothwell money for two 23-year-old footballers who are really good and give them five-year contracts and you’re making the squad better, in place of a lad who wants to go somewhere else.

“But at the same time I understand it’s difficult for the owners to accept money for one of our better players while we’re doing so well.

“Joe won’t get a move unless the other moves are done. We’re not daft.

“Joe Rothwell will not be leaving unless we feel we’re strengthening the team.

“The job at the start of every window is to strengthen your football club if you can, we can’t leave it worse off.”

Ryan Hedges is set to arrive at the club before Monday’s deadline from Aberdeen.

Yet Mowbray sees the 26-year-old as a player to operate from the flanks and not a Rothwell replacement.

He added: “It’s not Hedges for Rothwell, no. Hedges is just about a free transfer, we have to pay a little bit of money to get him. He’s out of contract in four months time and they’re basically worth nothing to us after this window shuts.”