BLACKBURN Rovers are being linked with a move for striker Craig Davies as Rudy Gestede looks increasingly likely to depart Ewood Park.

Rovers sold Tom Cairney to Fulham on Friday as they attempt to find their way out of a transfer embargo, and Premier League new boys Watford and Norwich City have both expressed their interest in Gestede.

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The target man has made no secret of the fact that he would like to return to the top flight this summer, although Watford have been told that they will have to pay considerably more than £5m they were prepared to offer if they are to land the Benin international.

Boss Gary Bowyer has confirmed that he will not be in the market for a striker unless Gestede or Jordan Rhodes departs this summer, and Rovers are restricted to free transfers and loan signings under the terms of their transfer embargo – despite the windfall they have received from Fulham for Cairney.

But they were yesterday linked with an interest in pacy forward Davies, who is a free agent after being released by Bolton Wanderers.

The 29-year-old often looked a goal threat for the Trotters and netted seven times last season, although he struggled for a regular run of matches because of persistent hamstring problems.

The former Wales international had a loan spell at Preston North End at the end of the 2013/14 campaign and previously starred for the likes of Barnsley and Chesterfield.

Rovers have already been linked with Nicky Maynard, another speedy striker who is a free agent after leaving Cardiff City.

Maynard worked with Rovers assistant manager Terry McPhillips at Crewe Alexandra, a link that has also seen Ben Marshall and Luke Varney brought to Ewood Park in the past.

The 28-year-old joined Cardiff for £2.75m from West Ham United three years ago but like Davies has been beset by injury woes in recent times, and made only six league starts for the Bluebirds.

Under the terms of their embargo, Rovers are allowed to bring in players providing the employee costs of that signing are no more than £600,000 per year - just under £12,000 a week.

Rovers have been attempting to move on out of favour trio Leon Best, Jake Kean and Josh Morris - with tomorrow being the cut-off date for their 2014/15 accounts, on which another Financial Fair Play verdict will be delivered at the end of the year.

Morris is understood to be close to a departure, with a League One club believed to be interested in the 23-year-old.