Tony Mowbray is happy to listen to loan offers for his fringe players - but says the phone must ring first of all.

Rovers have a number of players who have become regulars for the Under-23s but in need of more regular game-time at senior level.

Mowbray allowed a number of the club’s Academy prospects, such as Scott Wharton, Tyler Magloire and Matty Platt, leave the club on loan in the summer.

But it is the futures of those with more senior experience that will come under the microscope in the coming weeks.

Midfielder Jacob Davenport has had a torrid time with injuries since his move from Manchester City last summer, but has strung together a run of starts for Billy Barr’s side of late.

Dominic Samuel too has made good strides on his return from long-term injury, but the path to the first-team for both appears blocked at this moment.

On the prospect of them leaving on loan this month, Mowbray said: “You have to remember that with loans the phone has to ring first and foremost.

“I’m not a manager who will ring around and say ‘why don’t you take this player they will do really great for you?’

“That’s not my job. The players for me have to perform to a standard where people come to watch our Under-23s and think ‘wow, he can improve our team’.

“Let’s wait and see what January brings for those players.”

The boss could equally see a scenario where the players stay at Ewood Park next month and continue playing for the Under-23s in a bid to force their way back in to his plans.

Davenport made his Rovers debut on the final game of last season, against Swansea City, having been troubled by hip and groin problems last time.

The 20-year-old, who spent the final months of the 2017/18 season on loan in the Championship with Burton Albion, had a further setback in pre-season, but has been clocking up the minutes for the Under-23s, scoring against Benfica and Burnley in recent weeks.

Given his recent injury worries, Mowbray feels it’s important that Davenport continues to get minutes under his belt.

And while he believes Davenport could have an impact on the Rovers side, he admits the summer arrivals of Bradley Johnson, Stewart Downing and Lewis Holtby have pushed him down the pecking order.

“I have had conversations with Jacob, I just feel with where we at this moment, he could fit in to our set-up and keep the ball moving and link the game for us as he’s a very talented footballer,” Mowbray added.

“But I have spoken to him about keeping playing football and getting robust and there’s no demons in his mind about getting injured or picking up another knock when he goes in for a challenge.

“He has to play with a freedom and love the game again.

“If that means going and playing 20-odd games for someone on loan then so be it.

“I think it’s a big ask at this moment for him to break in to our central midfield but I never chase them out of the door.

“If he wants to stay and play for the Under-23s, keep going, and be around this environment then that’s fine.

“Who’s to say there won’t be an injury crisis and he gets an opportunity?”

While Davenport is set to feature for the Under-23s at Arsenal tonight, Samuel hasn't travelled because of illness. 

The attacker has seven goals in seven games for the Under-23s, including a stunning strike in the Premier League Cup win over Burnley last week.

He has made two appearances off the bench for the first-team since returning from a knee injury before being setback by a groin problem.

The 25-year-old, who netted eight goals in the League One promotion season after a £500,000 switch from Reading, has six months left to run on his deal.

And Mowbray said: “Dominic has to play football as well. He’s been out for over a year.

“He came back and had a little twinge, missed a few weeks and then came back again.

“He’s been ill so didn’t play for the Under-23s so it’s been a bit stop-start.

“Let’s see what January brings and what the future holds.

“The bottom line is that he needs to play games and as a young guy needs to get his career going again.”

Harry Chapman is in a similar position, having yet to make a Championship matchday squad this season, but a regular for the Under-23s.

Chapman had loan interest from north of the border in August, that was turned down, but the 22-year-old could also come under consideration for a move in January.

Richie Smallwood is also yet to feature in a matchday squad, with both his appearances this season coming the Carabao Cup.

The combative midfielder, an ever-present in the promotion campaign of 2017/18, sees his deal expire at the club in the summer.