ROVERS have lodged cash bids for two players and boss Tony Mowbray admits ‘their clubs have decisions to make’ as he looks to make inroads early in the January transfer window.

Mowbray is keen to strengthen his ranks for the second half of the season with the transfer window officially re-opening on New Year’s Day.

The Ewood chief says bids have been put on the table for two players who are out of contract in the summer when they would be available for free transfers.

For that reason, Mowbray says their respective clubs have decisions to make on whether to accept the bids now or risk losing them for nothing in six months’ time.

One player linked with a move to Ewood Park is Fleetwood Town full-back Amari’i Bell while a winger is on the priority list for Rovers before the window closes on January 31.

Mowbray says Rovers are ‘hopeful’ that the bids will be accepted and that he can strengthen his squad which has become threadbare of late.

Middlesbrough loanee Harry Chapman is likely to be sidelined for several more months having only just begun his rehabilitation after surgery on a hamstring injury sustained in the 0-0 draw at Wigan Athletic on October 28.

His absence has been a big blow for Rovers who don’t currently have a like-for-like replacement at the club.

Darragh Lenihan is nearing a return having not played since the opening day of the season but Ben Gladwin is on the absentee list following minor surgery on a knee injury.

Craig Conway and Joe Nuttall missed the Scunthorpe United draw through the illness bug which has blighted the Rovers camp of late.

That left Mowbray short of attacking options as his side went in search of a winner against Scunthorpe United after Marcus Antonsson was forced off with an ankle injury.

Rovers spent over £1.3million in the summer, with Bradley Dack a £750,000 addition from Gillingham while Dominic Samuel set them back £500,000 when he joined from Reading.

But Mowbray has made no secret of his desire to strengthen, particularly with Rovers looking to seal promotion back to the Championship in the second half of the season.

Money is available for cash transfers and it is permanent additions which Mowbray is looking to secure during the window as Rovers look to close the gap on top two Wigan Athletic and Shrewsbury Town.