ROVERS supporters have been urged to stay patient as work continues in the transfer market.

Boss Tony Mowbray is believed to be on the lookout for up to five new recruits as he looks to build on 15th on the Ewood Park club’s return to the Championship last season. 

Stewart Downing is the only new face through the door thus far, arriving on a free transfer from Middlesbrough.

It is hoped the signing of the 34-year-old former England winger is just the start and Mowbray insists work is on-going, despite the floodgates not having opened just yet. 

“We hope the signings will come,” he said.

“I know it’s very frustrating for the supporters as they think nothing is happening, but conversations are going on, we’re asking questions, and we’re hopeful of being stronger this season.”

The Rovers boss however says it is all about getting the right players at the right price when increasingly big money is being spent in the Championship. 

And while he wants fans to wait and see who comes through the door, a patient approach also applies in the corridors of power as prices fluctuate between now and the end of the window.

Mowbray believes clubs also have to be prepared to change their targets, something he revealed has happened with Rovers in recent days. as they look to add to the arrival of Downing.

“It’s difficult because of the numbers at times,” he told the club website ahead of the opening friendly against Barrow this Saturday, July 6.  

“The numbers are bigger early in the summer and clubs can just pick a number out of the air for their players. It’s a fine balance between the buying club and the selling club.

 “But we have to have plans in place where if you can’t get a player for a certain number, you have to move on.

“I think a little bit of that has happened this week, but we’re working hard behind the scenes.”

The manager believes it could be the case that Rovers might get better value for money later in the window, clubs more keen to wheel and deal in order to get the players they want. 

“As the clock gets closer to the deadline, clubs panic, they need the money to get their targets and the price drops for a potential player that could head out of the door,” Mowbray said.

“When you haven’t got countless millions you do need to manage the money and the budget.

“We need to spend the money wisely and negotiate hard.”

As is the norm, Rovers have been linked with several players in the opening weeks of the transfer window and missed out on the signing of Dutch midfielder Adam Maher, the 25-year-old free agent choosing to stay in Holland as he signed for Eredivisie club FC Utrecht.

On the out-going front, goalkeeper David Raya continues to be linked with Brentford, Mowbray known to be looking at his goalkeeping options this summer, Jayson Leutwiler having been with Canada at the Gold Cup.