--- source: thedugout.football generated: 2026-07-27T11:59:03.326Z last_updated: 2026-07-25T04:00:00+00:00 data_provider: API-Football canonical: https://thedugout.football/clubs/blackburn-rovers/news/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGFuY2FzaGlyZXRlbGVncmFwaC5jby51ay9zcG9ydC8yNjQwODY4MC5ibGFja2J1cm4tcm92ZXJzLWRlcHRoLWNoYXJ0LWhpZ2hsaWdodHMtdHJhbnNmZXItcHJpb3JpdGllcy8_cmVmPXJzcw --- # Blackburn Rovers depth chart highlights positions they must fill - **Source:** - **Published:** 25 Jul - **Club:** Blackburn Rovers - **Original URL:** https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/26408680.blackburn-rovers-depth-chart-highlights-transfer-priorities/?ref=rss Tony Mowbray has spent the last four weeks assessing his options and has seen them up close and personal during their week in Portugal. Throw in four pre-season friendlies, two against higher-class opposition, and there isn't much more to learn for the Rovers boss. Huddersfield Town will round up the preparations next weekend before the Carabao Cup first round. With the 2026/27 season now fast approaching, we review the Rovers depth chart and assess which holes need plugging - and quickly. READ MORE: Ewood Park update as Blackburn Rovers confirm further seven-figure project Summer signings so far As has been well documented, Rovers haven't brought anyone new in yet. Moussa Baradji's loan has been turned into a permanent deal, which represents their only business to date. Summer exits so far Aside from players leaving at the end of their contract or loans, Rovers haven't sold anyone either. They are weaker, though, after the loss of Sondre Tronstad, Ryan Hedges and Eiran Cashin, particularly. Taylor Gardner-Hickman's return to Birmingham City also leaves them light of another player in central midfield. Position-by-position breakdown GK: Balazs Toth, Aynsley Pears, Nick Michalski, Jack Barrett, Felix Goddard. Rovers are well stocked in goal, barring any departures. Nick Michalski's absence from the Portugal tour is noticeable, having been ahead of Aynsley Pears this time last year. Rovers are yet to provide any explanation as to why he's unavailable. He may be injured or perhaps preparing for a loan move. RB: Ryan Alebiosu, Matty Litherland, Lewis Miller (I) (Image: CameraSport - Rich Linley) Right-back is a difficult conundrum. On one hand, you want to give opportunities to young players and Litherland could continue his development after looking very capable last season, over a small sample size. At the same time, he wants to be playing regularly to continue that progress. Equally, if Alebiosu was to pick up an injury, could Litherland cope with starting every week in the Championship? If the former was to leave, they'd obviously need a senior replacement. There is also Lewis Miller to consider, who is out until Christmas. They can probably get by with what they have until January and then reassess. CB: Hayden Carter, Sean McLoughlin, Tom Atcheson, Scott Wharton, George Pratt, Connor O'Riordan. Rovers are well stocked for numbers at CB and will likely lose at least one of those names. Whether that's a sale for O'Riordan or maybe a loan for Pratt. They will always need extra cover, though, because of the injury records of Carter and Wharton. READ MORE: Blackburn Rovers transfer patience wearing thinner after exposed squad imbalance LB: Yuri Ribeiro, Harry Pickering Left-back is another position where you wouldn't be focusing funds. Neither player had a great season but that was largely due to the switch to wing-backs. They should be more comfortable as regulation full-backs. CM: Adam Forshaw, Moussa Baradji, Sidnei Tavares, Kristi Montgomery, Jake Garrett Number-wise, Rovers have the necessary bodies to cover central midfield. Whether there is the quality is another discussion. AM: Todd Cantwell, Axel Henriksson Rovers have two players to fill this role. Again, the question comes down to the quality of those in reserve. Right-wing: Ryoya Morishita (Image: CameraSport - Lee Parker) Mori is obviously going to start most games but there is no cover or right-sided alternative for him. Left-wing: Dion De Neve, Augustus Kargbo, Dapo Afolayan Rovers have three options for the left side of attack but none impressed last term. Kargbo's had injuries whilst the other two were out of favour. ST: Yuki Ohashi, Andri Gudjohnsen, Mathias Jorgensen Three strikers for one spot feels like sufficient cover. It's whether there are enough goals. Where the obvious holes are From a purely numbers perspective, right wing is an obvious hole. Rovers only have Mori in that position and he can't be expected to play 90 minutes of every single match. Otherwise, they are pretty well covered with two for every position. The question then becomes about the quality of those options. That underlines why moving players out is almost as important as incomings for Rovers, in order to avoid a bloated squad. Most supporters would have central midfield highest on the priority list, despite having decent coverage. Left-wing also feels like a necessity given the lack of consistency in those already in the building. Whilst all three strikers are capable, and with a good win could score 10-15 goals, the team needs more goals. Whilst that can come from other areas, another number nine makes logical sense, especially after Gudjohnsen's injury issues last term. (Image: CameraSport) Right-back would be a less pressing concern but considering Miller will return in the second half of the season, it would be hard to recruit someone unless it was a loan. Which would equally be a difficult sell considering Alebiosu's standing. Attacking players cost the most money and equally, the right loans in forward areas can elevate the ceiling of a team. It feels most natural for any Premier League loans to come in forward areas, considering the needs of the squad. The Premier League loan market won't kick in until later August. Top-flight sides are away on their pre-season tours and with players absent after their World Cup exploits, many have travelled overseas, even if their immediate future lies elsewhere. Who is available that could fill these holes? As a starter for 10, out wide, Tommy Watson could be available from Brighton & Hove Albion. He has barely played any senior football since scoring Sunderland's promotion-clinching goal against Sheffield United. His loan at Millwall was unproductive as he struggled to get into a team gunning for automatic promotion. Surely a switch to a club where he'd be more guaranteed minutes makes sense? Players such as Shea Lacey and Omari Kellyman are on pre-season tours with Manchester United and Chelsea. Jamie Donley too with Tottenham Hotspur but they could be available at a later date.