With Rovers keen to play a more possession-based game, a key signing this summer could well be in central midfield.

Adam Maher was scouted on a number of occasions, and the Dutch midfielder, available on a free transfer, became a key target. However, the AZ Alkmaar man opted to stay in the Eredivisie, and follow outgoing Alkmaar boss to John van den Brom to FC Utrecht.

That was a blow to Rovers who had spent plenty of time, and effort, in to watching the 25-year-old, including a trip by Tony Mowbray in April.

Rovers have upped their scouting of the European market, doubling their investment in the recruitment department in a bid to compete with a number of other clubs who have taken a similar route in recent years.

While there won’t be an influx of overseas signings this summer, the value for money, as well as talent, available on the continent is appealing to Mowbray. And Rovers have sourced options in central midfield, with others joining Maher in falling by the wayside, but others remaining on the radar.

A deep-lying play-maker type is something Rovers lack within their current ranks, and have for a number of years, arguably since the departure of Tom Cairney to Fulham, despite him regularly being used out wide.

Rovers have been at their best in recent times when playing on the front foot, particularly in the promotion season when Richie Smallwood and Corry Evans were key influences in the middle of the park, and since then, Lewis Travis and Harrison Reed offered similar attributes last season.

The one outlier, and name-checked by Mowbray twice in a recent interview, is last summer’s signing, Jacob Davenport.

The former Manchester City youngster endured a terrible time with injuries in his debut year, injured in the pre-season friendly at Accrington Stanley in July before suffering a setback in November. But he ended the season as a regular in the Under-23s before an encouraging debut on the final day against Swansea City.

“I’m hoping Jacob Davenport will be a big player for us next year and Joe Rothwell will be able to push on,” the boss said.

The 20-year-old is a midfield metronome, liking to keep the ball moving, though needs to build a robustness to be able to deal with the rigours of a 46-game Championship season.

Davenport isn’t expected to start the season as first choice, and the pre-season campaign will be a key one for him. But it is clear that he is in the manager’s thoughts, not least for offering something different.

He will be as keen as anyone to see who comes through the arrivals door this summer.