There is no doubt over what Paul Dickov’s priority is this week - landing a new striker.
Rovers performed well in the 1-0 defeat at Blackburn Rovers on Saturday but the lack of goalscoring threat meant defeat always looked on the cards once the hosts took the lead just before half time.
Dickov admitted he came close to making a signing before the trip to Lancashire and will continue to pursue the same deal this week.
“It’s no secret that we’re trying to get a striker in,” Dickov said. “We thought we were close, we thought we were there Thursday and Friday but things change.
“For us it’s been a case of clubs wanting to keep hold of them until they do their own business. You just hope that’s sooner rather than later.
“We’re hopeful that we’ll get someone in this week.”
Martin Woods became the fourth player to depart Rovers this week after the club decided not to continue his non-contract agreement.
Dickov says Woods is likely to be the last departure for now as attention is squarely focused on bringing a striker in.
He said: “If we get more bodies in then we might be able to do it but all our concentration now must be on getting a striker in.
“With having Marc De Val back, Richie Wellens signing and Paul Keegan likely to be back for next week, we just thought we were well covered in that midfield area so we decided not to continue Martin’s deal.”
The funds raised from the departures of Woods, Billy Paynter, James Harper and David Syers - including any transfer fee - will be available for Dickov to use in the window.
Paul Quinn is also likely to be back for the Wigan game after missing the Blackburn trip with a knee injury. Despite the defeat at Ewood Park, Dickov insists the performance gave him renewed confidence his side would avoid the drop this term.
He said: “Especially after the Stevenage performance, this game gave me a lot of confidence. I’ve always felt we’ll get ourselves out of it.
“I’ve always believed if we could get through these nine injuries and not be adrift at the bottom when players started coming back that we’d be more than okay.
“Anyone who was there for the second half especially will see that we’re good enough.”