Rovers have rejected a bid in the region of $4.5m from Chicago Fire for Joe Rothwell whose future remains uncertain heading into transfer deadline day.

Rothwell wasn’t part of the Rovers squad for the 0-0 draw at Luton Town having expressed an interest to speak with another club.

That is understood to be Bournemouth who tabled a staggered bid of up to £2m for the midfielder who is out of contract in the summer.

Rovers owners Venky’s have no interest in losing one of their key performers on the eve of the transfer window, particularly to a promotion rival, and are standing firm.

While the MLS club have tabled the biggest bid, around twice that offered by the Cherries, Rothwell’s preference would be to speak to Scott Parker's side.

However, with only a matter of hours left to secure a replacement, the owners are refusing to sell.

Mowbray had floated the idea of using the money gained from a Rothwell sale to fund two new replacements, but time is against Rovers with the window to close at 11pm on Monday.

While the MLS window runs until the end of February, it is understood that the 27-year-old has little interest in discussing that move which would ease those particular concerns.

Once the window closes, Rovers will lose their final chance to gain anything from Rothwell moving from Ewood Park due to his expiring contract.

“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.”

Mowbray said the decision for Rothwell, who missed the Middlesbrough win with a back injury, not to travel was made between the pair.

Should he remain a Rovers player beyond the window then Mowbray says further talks will be required.

For that to change it would require a change in stance from the owners as well as an increased bid from Bournemouth who were today linked with Norwich City midfielder Todd Cantwell.

Mowbray added: “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.”