Rovers will look to dip in to the loan market this summer – but Tony Mowbray doesn’t want to become reliant on borrowed players.

Mowbray has learned in the past the draw-backs of recruiting players on loan and the hole they can leave once they depart.

Rovers finished last season with Southampton midfielder Harrison Reed as their sole loanee after Kasey Palmer’s deal from Chelsea was cut short in January while Ben Brereton’s switch was made permanent.

Many Championship clubs are set to focus on the loan market this summer, with play-off finalists Aston Villa and Derby County having used it to good effect.

Mowbray had a number of promising Premier League youngsters at Coventry City in 2015/16, including Adam Armstrong, but after missing out on the play-offs, the Sky Blues struggled to replace them and were relegated the following season.

“The problem with that team was that they all disappeared back to their parent clubs and it left us with a team of 18-year-olds who found it really difficult,” Mowbray said.

“The loan market is something we will have to look at though.”

Rovers have had success in the loan market under Mowbray, with Reed playing 36 times last season, while Armstrong made his move permanent last summer after scoring nine times as a loanee in the second half of the League One promotion campaign.

Premier League loanees Palmer and Rekeem Harper struggled to make an impact however.

Though the value of loan players was demonstrated by the two play-offs finalists, with seven of the 20 outfield players on short-term loan deals from Premier League clubs.

“You have to be successful if you fill your team with loans because if not they are really hard to replace,” Mowbray added.

“Aston Villa were a classic case, they improved their team mid-season with loan players and Derby had three players for the season.

“It is difficult to do them early because clubs have players at the Euro Championship and the Africa Cup of Nations and they will need players to take on their pre-season tours when they will play two teams in some friendlies.

“But if you wait until then and you don’t get them then you could be in trouble.”

Last season, Championship clubs had until August 31 to make loan signings, with the permanent window closed on August 9.

That allowed Rovers to bring in Brereton, a move which became permanent in January.

However, the window will close for all transfer dealings on August 8 this season.

  • Ticket prices have been announced for Rovers’ first pre-season friendly at National League side Barrow.

Rovers have been handed an allocation of 1,000 at the Furness Building Society Stadium.

Away supporters will be housed in the Holker Street End, with approximately 150 seats available in the Brian Arrowsmith Stand.

Prices are £10 for adults, £5 for concessions, students and Under-21s and £1 for Under-16s.

Tickets are available online from the club website, or on the day at Barrow.

The game is Rovers’ first of pre-season and takes place on Saturday, July 6 (3pm).