GARY Bowyer will look to boost his Blackburn Rovers squad with loan additions from the Premier League.

But the Rovers boss believes his first signings of the summer are most likely to come from the free transfer market.

Tom Cairney, Rudy Gestede, Michael Keane and Doneil Henry all proved to be big successes after arriving at Ewood Park on short-term deals from top-flight clubs.

But Bowyer said: “We’ll certainly be looking at the loan market but frees are a lot easier at this moment in time because decisions have been made by clubs and we know who they don’t want.

“Loans are a little bit more difficult, especially where we would look to get them in from, in the Premiership.

“Those clubs will be looking at who they can bring in and the disadvantage of this transfer window is that it continues well into the season. That means the Premiership boys are a little bit reluctant to let somebody go out on loan at this moment in time.

“But with the money that is available to Premiership managers now, they can go and buy someone for millions of pounds, and that might eventually free up somebody to go out on loan.

“But we’ve just got to be patient with that one in terms of the loan market.”

Rovers are one of a number of Championship clubs interested in signing Jamaica captain Rodolph Austin.

The midfielder will be a free agent once his contract at Leeds United expires next month.

Rovers, who are unable to pay fees for new recruits after failing Financial Fair Play, have also been linked with Cardiff City’s outgoing striker Nicky Maynard.

But Bowyer, who has lost Josh King to Premier League new boys Bournemouth, will not be looking to bolster his forward line as long as prolific pair Jordan Rhodes and Rudy Gestede remain at the club.

“If nobody comes in with a massive offer for either of them, or if they do, and that offer is not accepted by the club, then we won’t be looking to bring strikers in,” said Bowyer, who is back at Brockhall after a family holiday.

“We might need to replace Josh King’s pace, and that’s something we’re looking at, but if we can keep hold of both Jordan and Rudy it would be great business for Blackburn Rovers.”

Rhodes and Gestede are not the only Rovers players reportedly interesting other clubs.

“I think there’s only Carl Brighty, the kitman, who has not been linked with a move away from Ewood – and I’m surprised at that as he did a magnificent job in his first full season here,” joked Bowyer.

“But in all seriousness it’s no surprise that several of our players have been linked with possible moves. We have recruited well and developed them.

“People obviously think because of the embargo we’re in a situation when we desperately need to sell, but that is not the case.

“We’re concentrating on finding ways to add to the squad and make it better than what it was last season.

“And we certainly think we can improve. There will be players out there who we can persuade to come to our club because we’ve got a decent track record of improving players and making them better.

“And I think you only have to look at the ones that have been speculated about to see that.”