Rovers have almost doubled their recruitment department budget in a bid to get the best possible strike rate in the transfer market.

Tony Mowbray has been keen to overhaul the club’s scouting network, as well as in-house analysis, given the importance placed on recruitment.

Chief executive Steve Waggott has stressed that signings will be key to Rovers’ ambitions of pushing for the top six next season, and revealed there could be more experience added to the squad this summer.

Mowbray and his recruitment team have travelled to Europe on a number of occasions to watch prospective signings, but Waggott is unsure of how many overseas recruits Rovers will bring in this summer.

But he told the Lancashire Telegraph: “Recruitment is going to be key.

“We’re investing heavily in recruitment, probably doubled our budget in terms of investment in that, just under.

“We’ve done it last year and will do it more with the European market because we have to be really smart in terms of who we pick up."

Rovers added depth to their squad last season with the acquisitions of the likes of Ben Brereton, Jacob Davenport and Joe Rothwell - players expected to kick on this season, and in futures years.

Adam Armstrong, on loan from Newcastle United at the end of the League One campaign, was the only new permanent signing to become a mainstay of the side.

But Mowbray will be eyeing more ready-made Championship starters this summer in a bid to add more experience.

“The Rothwells, Armstrongs, and others we’ve brought in who are young, I think Tony is going to go for a bit more maturity this year in some areas,” Waggott added.

“But the model has to be can we recruit young players, develop them through playing for us and being successful and then potentially if we can, change the benefactor model to a more self-sustainable model by selling players.”

Waggott revealed, following talks with owners Venky’s in India last month, that Rovers would be working with a budget similar to that of last season.

The majority of last summer’s budget was spent on England youth international Brereton, arriving for around £6m from Nottingham Forest, with Armstrong costing around £1.75m when signed from Newcastle United.

Asked whether the fees will be distributed more evenly this time around, Waggott said: “It depends on which targets are realised.

“There has to be flexibility.

“It would be nice to be able to say we’ve got X and we divide it between three, four or five players that Tony wants.

“But that changes with each deal.

“There has to be an element of flexibility, that the owners are aware of.

“As long as the quantum is realised then we have that flexibility.”