Rovers are looking to add another attacker to their squad – but boss Tony Mowbray admits a first team opportunity for Danny Butterworth might not be far away.

The teenager travelled with the squad for the FA Cup tie at Newcastle, but didn’t make the matchday 18.

That was despite Chelsea loanee Kasey Palmer missing out through illness, as Mowbray fielded three defenders among his seven substitutes.

Rovers are keen to add another forward in the January transfer window having been left short by the long-term injury to striker Dominic Samuel.

Mowbray has praised 19-year-old Butterworth, who has played twice in the Carabao Cup this season, but hopes to add another option, with former loanee Sam Gallagher linked.

“We’re working hard on that,” Mowbray said of the possibility of bringing in an attacking player.

“Danny Butterworth travelled with us at the weekend because when he trains with the first team he rips it up.

“He can stick it through people’s legs and burst past them like Bradley (Dack) does and then rattle it in to the bottom corner.

“Somewhere along the line he will probably get an opportunity – but I’m not sat here saying we’re going to be relying on young 19-year-old kids.

“If the right one comes along at the right price then we will look to do that.”

Rovers’ injury picture is ever changing, with a number of players struggling with knocks after the busy festive period.

Mowbray welcomed back Ryan Nyambe from a hamstring injury at Newcastle with the right back named on the bench while Derrick Williams and Craig Conway are also fit again after injury absences.

Mowbray feels Rovers would benefit from extra numbers heading in to the final 20 matches of the season but won’t be panicked  into the transfer market.

“We’re having conversations and discussions,” Mowbray added of possible new additions.

“I look at the group, the squad and the team, and then I look behind me and I see the likes of Joe Rothwell, who I know can make an impact on the team if I put him on, and there are others, Ryan Nyambe and Derrick Williams were on the bench (at Newcastle).

“I don’t sit here thinking ‘unless we sign two or three players then we are really going to struggle’ because I don’t think we are going to struggle.

“The team are fighting for every point and yes we want to try and improve, and we will look when the right player comes along at the right price.

“But I don’t think we need to panic and rush in to any decisions.”

 Mowbray was pleased with the workrate of his squad in the FA Cup draw at Newcastle for which he made just one change.

That was despite a run of games against the top four sides in the Championship in the space of 10 days, from which Rovers picked up three points.

The boss added: “That’s the sort of performance level we’ve given – really hard work and honest.

“We could obviously do with a bit more quality as we move the club forward and if we’re trying to get out of this division.

“There are some massive clubs in the Championship. We’ve got a great spirit, togetherness and camaraderie and it takes us a long way.”