Gregg Broughton says Rovers’ recruitment plans are focused on next summer – with no grand plans to do business in the January window.

Rovers made six signings in the summer, a window described by director of football Broughton as ‘good, not exceptional’.

The appointment of a new head of European scouting is set to be confirmed this month, while a head of data scouting is also being sourced to work alongside new head of recruitment Gus Williams.

Broughton’s role oversees the club’s recruitment following his appointment in June, and the European market is one that he is keen to explore more in the future.

Having been forced to play catch-up in the last window, Broughton is keen to ensure that Rovers are better prepared moving forward, and with that in mind, is focused more on next summer’s window than the January transfer market.

“I never try and look at January alone, that would be a mistake,” Broughton said.

“Don’t get me wrong, there may be several injuries in a key position, and you have to go and recruit a player.

“But we’re looking at next summer, both in and out, plus internally with players who may graduate from the Academy to have a really good picture of what you want to do next summer and then work back to January and say ‘are there any of those deals, like Ryan Hedges, where he might come in in January because if you wait for him to become a free agent you could put yourself at a disadvantage.”

Rovers made four additions in last January’s window, two of which were permanent, in Dilan Markanday and Ryan Hedges.

But after six additions in the summer, Broughton said of the winter window: “It’s going to be quieter than the summer, for sure.”

Rovers were second in the league when the January window came around, but saw their form fall away in the second half of the season to drop out of the play-off spots.

The club opted against cashing in on Joe Rothwell, who left in the summer on a free transfer, though some supporters felt Rovers didn’t do enough in the window to build on the position they found themselves in.

On that, Broughton said: “It’s always an option and to be fair to the owners, I think they made those options available last January.

“I wasn’t at the club, but I think there was the option to bring in players last January and for whatever reason, the team in place at the time didn’t think that was the right thing to do for the squad.

“To give them credit, I don’t think anyone could have predicted the injuries that happened post-January as well.

“To give yourselves the best preparation for the remaining games is absolutely key in that period.

“I wouldn’t rule that out.”

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