GARY Bowyer now has scope to strengthen his injury-hit Blackburn Rovers squad in both defence and attack.

Bradley Orr’s departure means the Rovers boss can sign two players, either on loan or on free transfers and for a maximum weekly wage of around £10,000, under the terms of the club’s Financial Fair Play embargo.

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With Josh King sidelined with a hamstring injury that seems certain to rule him out of tomorrow’s Championship clash at Sheffield Wednesday and Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final tie at Liverpool, Bowyer is looking to add more pace to his ranks.

He has been linked with Ipswich Town’s out-of-favour attacker Paul Taylor.

Taylor has been training with Rovers since last month in an effort to earn a deal after being told by Ipswich manager Mick McCarthy he would not play for the club again.

The 27-year-old, who spent the first half of the season on loan at Rotherham United and featured in their 2-0 home win over Rovers in September, is out of contract in the summer.

And if Bowyer does hand Taylor a short-term deal before Sunday he would be eligible to face his hometown club Liverpool as he has not played in the FA Cup this season.

Other than King, who Rovers are trying to tie down to a new contract before his present deal expires in the summer, Bowyer’s main concerns are at the back.

Shane Duffy and Jason Lowe are sidelined for the season while captain Grant Hanley is attempting to overcome a knock that ruled him out of Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Bournemouth.

After the game title-challenging Bournemouth were linked with a surprise loan move for midfielder Tom Cairney.

But Rovers would not let their reigning player of the year leave even if the Cherries followed up their reported interest.

The club did, however, yesterday sanction Orr’s exit.

The 32-year-old has not played for Rovers since April 2013 and spent last year on loan at FC Toronto in Major League Soccer.

Orr was contracted to the club until the summer of 2016.

But, after lengthy talks, the parties came to an agreement to settle up the final 15 months of his deal.

And later in the day Orr announced his retirement from football on Twitter.

He said: “Thank you to everyone at Blackburn Rovers, especially Gary Bowyer and all the players. I genuinely wish the club well for the future.

"As of now I am retired from football. I’ve loved every minute of my career and I've got no regrets whatsoever only great memories. Thank you.”

It is unlikely goalkeeper Paul Robinson will leave Rovers before his contract expires in the summer unless a club comes in for him in on loan this month.