TONY Mowbray says his search for Rovers reinforcements is continuing, but he won’t bring in players for the sake of it.

Rovers have conceded five goals in their opening two games and Mowbray is targeting a new defender.

The Rovers boss feels Darragh Lenihan, currently sidelined by a foot injury, has been a big miss but believes he has a good back line at his disposal when everyone is fit.

But with just under two weeks to go until the transfer window shuts, the Rovers boss says his search is getting more difficult.

“We have been trying for a good few months now to try and find the right players,” Mowbray said of his attempts to strengthen in defence.

“Those questions have been asked, we’ve searched long and hard, the weeks are running by and it becomes more difficult to get the ones that you like.

“I would have to say that if Lenihan had been fit, (Charlie) Mulgrew, (Paul) Caddis or (Ryan) Nyambe, and (Derrick) Williams, there won’t be many better back lines in this division.

“I think Darragh has been a loss for us, but we have to get on with it, every team needs a squad but I do think we need strengthening.

“It’s something that we have been looking at, it’s not easy, and I refuse to bring players in just because they are available.”

Although Lenihan remains sidelined, one player who is nearing a return to fitness is central defender Scott Wharton.

The 19-year-old missed the final weeks of pre-season, and the opening three games of this campaign, but is back training with the first-team.

While not yet fit enough to be involved on a matchday, Mowbray is looking forward to watching the teenager’s development.

He added: “He’s missed a lot of pre-season so he’s just back to the point where he’s doing training weeks to get back up to speed.

“It will be beneficial for him to work with the first team and to get around the players.

“I’ve enjoyed watching him the last few days. I was disappointed and frustrated that he didn’t get more game time through pre-season because of his injury, but watching him in training has been good.

“So we’ll see how he progresses, see whether we think he is actually ready to compete to get in our team or whether it is another season for him to develop, we’ll wait and see.”