Tony Mowbray says Rovers are ‘asking questions’ as to the availability of the European players he’s run the rule over.

Mowbray has made two separate trips to the continent in as many weeks to watch targets identified by the club’s recruitment department.

Rovers have stepped up their scouting of the European markets in a bid to identify talent who can help them progress in the Championship next year.

Wholesale arrivals aren’t expected this summer, but the club is set to dip their toe in to the market given the work that has been put in.

“We are asking a few questions at the moment,” Mowbray said on what had come from his scouting trips.

“It is really interesting the process. You don’t just employ one scout and it works from day one.

“We have analysts watching dozens of games identifying players, then they go out and report on them, and we’ve got to the final stage now where I’m going out and running the rule over them.

“Some I like, some I don’t.

“The ones I like we’re asking questions now.

“We’re in touch with their agents and speaking with their clubs to try and find a realistic number that might entice them away.”

Mowbray has already stated his desire to strengthen the spine of the team and is also keen to boost the defensive ranks, with Rovers having shipped 67 goals in the Championship.

But he accepts there are difficulties to bringing in players from overseas, not least the time it can take for them to adapt to their new surroundings, both on and off the pitch.

“Sometimes players who have never played outside of their country, it’s a massive decision as to whether they want to uproot their families and move in to a different country,” the Rovers boss added.

“Generally you have to make it worth their while.

“But it’s exciting. I want to try and give our fans a team that they can be proud of and excited by.

“If we do sign some foreign players then I will be saying we have to be patient with them. They have the family to think about, and adapting to new surroundings.

“They might not play their best football until they are settled and they know their family is happy and embedded in.

“I could reference Norwich and the way at the start of the campaign they struggled, their manager was on the verge of losing his job, but once their foreign recruits have hit the ground running you feel their quality.

“Let’s see what the team looks like next year and see if we can win lots of games.”