Jon Dahl Tomasson is looking to add firepower in the January window, with Rovers in the scramble to land Leeds United forward Joe Gelhardt on loan.

Gelhardt started the FA Cup tie at Cardiff City earlier this month, and is expected to feature again when the two sides meet again in a third round replay on Wednesday night.

After that, Leeds are likely to make a call on his availability with the prospect of facilitating a loan move this month.

That prospect has looked more likely after Leeds concluded the signing of Georginio Rutter from Hoffenheim for a club record fee on Saturday night.

Rovers are in the market for at least one attacking player following George Hirst’s loan coming to an end after only two Championship starts - but not necessarily a like-for-like replacement.

Gelhardt would offer versatility in that he can play all across the forward line which would fit the bill for what Tomasson is looking for in the club’s bid to strengthen in the January window.

That comes after Rovers suffered another blank infront of goal in the 4-0 defeat to Rotherham United.

“I’m not saying that we definitely should pick up a striker but for sure we need attacking players,” he said.

“I look regarding quality and choosing how we want to play.

“An attacking player for me could be a No.9, on the sides, and it’s about what’s possible and what’s not.

“It’s not like we can choose everything and we’re realistic about that.”

Gelhardt, aged 20, has made 17 senior appearances for Leeds this season, including featuring off the bench in Friday night’s defeat at Aston Villa.

He remains a big part of the Premier League club's plans moving forward and is under contract until 2027, so Leeds will choose carefully when it comes to his next move.

Wigan Athletic, where Gelhardt came through the ranks, are said to be in the mix, while Swansea City have also been credited with interest, but Leeds aren’t understood to be short of options when it comes to loan options.

Tomasson suggested that loan deals were most likely for Rovers in the window, though the club are also looking at options overseas.

Speaking about transfers in the wake of the 4-0 defeat at Rotherham United, the head coach said: “It’s important to get players in. You need competition.

“You saw with Rotherham, they brought a couple of players in, they had energy in the team in that way and that can be a positive thing to get players in, so hopefully we get that.”

Rovers and Leeds did business in the summer of 2021 when Ian Poveda moved to Ewood Park on a season-long loan deal, while they also had a similar agreement with Barry Douglas in 2020.

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