TO sell or not to sell? That is the question Rovers must answer this summer.

Providing, of course, the never-ending speculation surrounding Jordan Rhodes and Rudy Gestede actually translates into tangible bids.

But if the right offers do come Rovers’ way, then they must think long and hard about what they are going to do.

There is no question that should the club get the money it would demand for Rhodes and Gestede – in the region of £17m – then it would significantly improve its financial footing.

And, with promotion gone for another year, the only way Rovers realistically are going to get their FFP embargo lifted in the short term is by letting players leave who they do not want to lose.

It must be remembered, too, that the forthcoming campaign marks the final year of parachute payments from the Premier League.

Selling, then, would make business sense.

But, at the same time as strengthening the balance sheet, Rovers would be significantly weakening their playing squad.

Strikers as prolific as Rhodes and Gestede – no duo scored more in the Championship last season – are hard to replace at the best of times.

And, while Gary Bowyer has proven he has an eye for a player, it will be difficult in the extreme to find worthy successors in the loan and free transfer markets.

That’s the catch. Even if Rovers received big money for Rhodes and Gestede, it remains to be seen whether their embargo, which prevents them from signings players for fees, would be lifted immediately.

It is a very tricky situation.

But it is a situation, of course, that could yet be taken out of the club’s hands, somewhat, if Rhodes or Gestede push to go.

Gestede has already made it clear he would like to play in the Premier League next season.

But his performances toward the end of the campaign did not suggest a player who was unhappy with life at Rovers, although his long wave goodbye after being substituted against Ipswich on the final day did leave the impression that would be the last we would see of him.

Rhodes, even more so, acted impeccably after seeing moves to Hull and Middlesbrough blocked this season.

But how long can Rovers keep on saying no?

And how long can the lethal pair keep on accepting that decision?

That’s why if they make it clear they want to go, and if Rovers get what they are looking for, then it could be time to cash in.

But, if that happens, it needs to happen sooner rather than later.

As it is going to be problematic enough as it is, let alone in the last week of August.