Rovers are looking to strengthen in central defence as they aim for a productive August in the transfer market.

Hayden Carter missed the opening game of the season with a hamstring injury and could be out of action for around a month.

While Daniel Ayala and Scott Wharton helped Rovers to an opening day win, and clean sheet, Sam Barnes was the defensive cover on the bench, with 17-year-old Ash Phillips also part of the matchday group, but didn’t make the bench.

Rovers made a bid in excess of £3m for Malmo defender Anel Ahmedhodžić and also a loan move for Liverpool’s Ben Davies earlier in the window, and while neither materialised, head coach Jon Dahl Tomasson confirmed it is a position he is looking to strengthen.

That follows the summer departures of captain Darragh Lenihan as well as player of the year Jan Paul van Hecke.

“I had Sam Barnes in the squad, young Ash Phillips was the 19th player,” Tomasson said.

“We need to bring someone in in that position.

“Daniel and Scott were very solid, played a great game.

“Gregg (Broughton) is working hard to get players and they need to, because eight players left us, but we’re coming from a little bit behind with regards this project.”

Rovers have so far made only one signing in right back Callum Brittain who made his debut in the opening day win over QPR.

More are expected to follow, with a move understood to be close for Peterborough United attacker Sammie Szmodics.

The 26-year-old featured for Posh on the opening day, and while neither Tomasson nor Peterborough boss Grant McCann commented on the interest, a move is expected to go through this week.

Liverpool midfielder Tyler Morton is another deal that Rovers are close to completing, the 19-year-old set to arrive at Ewood Park on a season-long loan.

Defence is an area of the pitch Rovers are looking to strengthen though, particularly having lost Carter to injury.

“He got injured in training. He’ll be out for a little while,” Tomasson added.

“He has a bit of a problem with his hamstring.”

Ayala was one of Rovers’ most impressive opening day performers, with Tomasson outlining his importance to the team.

The Spaniard has had an injury-hit two seasons at Ewood Park but demonstrated his quality as Rovers denied QPR a shot on target.

“He’s a leader, he’s shown leadership, not just today, but at his previous teams,” Tomasson said.

“He played an outstanding game in the heart of the defence keeping a clean sheet.

“You want to have all players available for every game.

“We have a lot of games coming, some players will get injured, like Hayden, but if you only have one injured player at the moment I think we should be very happy with that.

“The planning from (performance director) Ben Rosen has been outstanding.

“We need everyone at the moment.”