League clubs see Rovers as an attractive proposition for their talented prospects, according to boss Tony Mowbray.

Mowbray has used the market to great effect in recent years, including in January when he snapped up Adam Armstrong and Jack Payne on five month loan deals.

He has held positive talks with top flight clubs in the north west already as he looks to strengthen his squad ahead of Rovers' Championship return.

Permanent signings remain the priority, but Mowbray believes clubs will be keen for their youngsters to spend time at Ewood Park because of the platform they will be given.

“My meeting over the last few days have been pretty productive, positive,” he told the Lancashire Telegraph.

“There’s some Premier League clubs who see us as a real vehicle for their aspiring players who are on the cusp of their Premier League football teams but probably need to go and play for another year in the Championship to build their careers and confidence.

“I’d hope that we would be able to add some loans towards the end of the window that would really lift the quality of the group but they would be young players.

“They would then have to force their way in to the team and hopefully the talent they have would allow that.

“There have been positive conversations with Premier League clubs around us and they see us a real good option now I think.”

Jacob Davenport, of Manchester City, is one player to have been identified as a potential summer signing.

A host of other Premier League Academy prospects have also been discussed, though any potential moves aren't likely to happen until later in the window.

Although the transfer window closes on August 5 this year, loan deals can be sanctioned up until August 31.

Rovers will be keen on Ewood returns for Armstrong and Harry Chapman, who enjoyed successful spells in East Lancashire last year, should the deals make financial sense.

But Mowbray anticipates teams will keep hold of their young players for pre-season, particularly with the absence of World Cup players to be factored in.

He added: “As I would with our players that were out on loan with us, the likes of Scott Wharton and Sam Hart, I want them to come and do pre-season with us, have a good look at them and see where they are.”

“I’m sure that’s the same with the loan players we had here, I’m sure they want the players to go through pre-season with them and the managers want to see where they are, have they progressed and pushed on because of where they have been out on loan?

“Do they see them any closer to their first-teams? Then we can have those conversations as we move on and if there are any gaps in our team then we can look to address that.”

Wharton finished last season on loan at Lincoln City, his second spell in League Two after finishing the 2016/17 campaign with Cambridge United.

The Imps are keen on securing his services for next season, though Rovers may look to a League One move for the 21-year-old should he be allowed to further his development out on loan.

Hart meanwhile, a signing from Liverpool last summer, played just three times for Rochdale after his January switch.

The 21-year-old failed to make a league start for Rovers before leaving on loan, though will return to the squad then they report back for pre-season next week.