Steve Waggott says the injury to Bradley Dack ‘changed the dynamics’ for Rovers’ transfer window plans.

Rovers lost Dack to an anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained in the Wigan Athletic game on December 23.

At that stage, Rovers were in the middle of a seven match unbeaten run and heading in to the festive period in fine form.

However, news of Dack’s injury, which will likely keep him out for much of 2020, coincided with Rovers going six without a win before last weekend’s impressive victory at Sheffield Wednesday.

It also affected their transfer plans for the January window, having previously looked to strengthen in goal and left back, and while those positions are still being worked on, the loss of 10-goal top scorer Dack has left a big void at the top end of the pitch.

Rovers are yet to add to their squad this month, and have until 11pm on January 31 to do so, but chief executive Waggott admits it’s proven to be a ‘difficult’ market to work in.

However, while the club may not be awash with cash for transfer fees, Waggott said there was no need to sell any of their prized assets in order to fund incomings.

Speaking at a fans’ forum meeting, he said: "The injury to Bradley Dack had changed the dynamics for the transfer window, as the club now needed to replace his expected 15 goals and assists.”

Waggott also added that loanees from Premier League clubs were proving particularly expensive, with manager Tony Mowbray preferring permanent additions should it be possible.

So far this month Rovers have allowed left back Sam Hart to join League One side Shrewsbury Town on loan until the end of the season, while Charlie Mulgrew has returned from his loan spell at Wigan to boost numbers. 

Rovers are in the market for an attacking player to cover for Dack's injury, and with Corry Evans set for an extended period on the sidelines after suffering a fractured skull and eye socket earlier this month, a midfielder has also been added to the wishlist.

That could see a new goalkeeper become less of a priority and addressed in the summer, with Christian Walton, who kept a ninth clean sheet of the season last weekend, at Ewood Park for the remainder of the campaign.