Rovers head into the international break after this weekend’s game with Cardiff City where the focus will turn to their remaining bits of transfer business.

Tyrhys Dolan has shot to prominence with his performance in the early weeks of the season, having initially been signed to boost the attacking options within the Under-23s set-up.

Dolan has been something of a bonus for Tony Mowbray who didn’t intend to add to his attacking ranks this summer, though the young winger’s emergence was perfectly timed as Sam Gallagher joined Bradley Dack on the sidelines.

The backline was where Rovers’ focus was going to be in this window, with European goalkeepers initially top of their wishlist. Thomas Kaminski arrived for an undisclosed fee from AA Gent to become the club’s new No.1, with a free agent or loan signing set to work alongside him.

That was the ideal scenario to allow Andrew Fisher to gain more experience out on loan. The 22-year-old, who started the Carabao Cup win over Doncaster while Belgian Kaminski remained in quarantine, has been on the bench for the four matches, given minutes for the Under-23s in midweek.

Warner Hahn, a free agent since leaving Dutch side Heerenveen, said Rovers had enquired about him earlier in the window, but the 28-year-old has since undergone surgery and is still without a club, and looking to get back to full fitness.

Aynsley Pears was then the name in the frame, Rovers moving for the 22-year-old from Middlesbrough. However, after seeing a £200,000 bid rejected, with Boro holding out for close to double that, talks have ground to a halt over that deal, with Rovers assessing other avenues.

They still require, and want, another goalkeeper, and time is still on their side, with it appearing ever more likely that Kaminski will be the club’s sole European move in this window.

Clubs have until 11pm on Monday to conclude business with overseas signings, but have a further 11 days to do domestic deals, the window closing at 5pm on October 16.

The last mooted overseas option was a central defender earlier this month, a move which broke down over third party demands, and since then the prospect of Rovers spending a transfer fee on a player has diminished.

Tony Mowbray’s latest comments around the window have centred around loan deals, despite the club’s previous reluctance to enter that market.

A central defender also now appears unlikely, as despite the plan to recruit two at the start of the window, the likelihood of Derrick Williams now staying at the club, and his early season form, means 29-year-old Daniel Ayala is set to be the only addition in that position.

Ayala came through 60 minutes for the Under-23s on Monday, and the chances of him featuring when Manchester United visit Leyland on Friday hinge on whether he’s needed for the first-team the following day.

The Spaniard travelled with the squad to Derby, but was never expected to be part of the matchday squad. He could be required for the bench on Saturday however, unless Sam Gallagher is closer to full fitness, with Rovers needing to change their squad following the injury to Joe Rankin-Costello.

The 20-year-old limped out of the win over Derby and underwent a scan on Monday, with Mowbray set to provide an update on his injury timescale at his pre-match press conference on Thursday.

Rankin-Costello had started every match so far this season and his versatility has been vital, playing at right back, left back, central midfield, both wings and in the No.10 role since breaking into the side in early 2020.

Amari’i Bell is the only recognised left back in the squad and a position that Rovers still want to do business. That will be in the form of a loan deal, but that won’t be Leeds United’s Barry Douglas.

Goalkeeper and left back appear to be the main areas of focus, with Mowbray having declared himself happy with his midfield options after the win over Derby, with Joe Rothwell having impressed alongside Lewis Holtby and Bradley Johnson.

Corry Evans is injured, as is Lewis Travis, the latter much the more serious with the 22-year-old set to miss the remainder of 2020. The Northern Irishman will learn tomorrow whether he’s been called up to his country’s triple-header of October internationals, though Rovers are unlikely to sanction his release until his bruised foot is healed.

John Buckley and Jacob Davenport are other options in that area for Rovers and the possibility of blocking their pathway should another midfielder, particularly of a similar age from a Premier League club, arrive, will undoubtedly be part of the discussion.

Rovers were in for Manchester United midfielder James Garner last month, only for the teenager to opt to join Watford.