Rovers have issued a club statement outlining they intend to appeal the EFL's decision to reject applications to register two players.

The necessary paperwork to conclude deals for Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis O'Brien and Ethan Brierley wasn’t submitted before Tuesday’s 11pm deadline.

It follows a hearing today in which Rovers were given the opportunity to present their case to the EFL.

The club filed the relevant documentation and information requested by the league in their bid to get the deal ratified.

However, the EFL rejected Rovers’ mitigating factors as to why paperwork was submitted late.

A club statement read: “The club would like to update our supporters on the situation concerning trying to bring in two players prior to the 11pm transfer deadline on Tuesday, January 31.

“One of the deals was a very ambitious target and it was only confirmed that he was able to join us late Tuesday afternoon.

“Due to the complex nature of the various agreements to be included within the overall registration, legal advisors were brought in to assist in part of the process.

“Despite the club’s best endeavours to complete all the required elements of this loan transfer, due to events we believe to be outside of our control, the deadline for submission was late and despite the club stating the mitigating reasons for the delayed submission, our application has today been rejected by the EFL.

“Our application for the second deal – for the permanent transfer of a promising young player – was also delayed due to unsigned paperwork and technical issues encountered by the club at the point of submission.

“Once again the EFL has not accepted these issues were an impediment to the paperwork being lodged on time and has also rejected this application.

“The club will now appeal the EFL decision to reject both applications and will submit documents ahead of the Tuesday, February 7 deadline.”

Rovers looked to have pulled off a deadline day coup in landing 24-year-old O'Brien on loan for the remainder of the season.

That would have included the option to make it permanent, but would have relied on Rovers securing promotion to the Premier League.

But the deal hasn't received the necessary sign-off from the EFL, despite him successfully passing a medical and agreeing to join the club.

The midfielder, who only joined Forest in the summer, now faces a wait to learn whether he will be included in their 25-man squad that has to be submitted to the Premier League.

Should that not happen, then O’Brien faces the prospect of spending the second half of the season without playing any senior football, if Rovers' appeal isn't successful.