GARY Bowyer has no desire to lose captain Grant Hanley – and has warned Blackburn Rovers’ Championship rivals not to write off his side this season.

Speculation has linked Hanley with a move away from Ewood Park and yesterday reports suggested that Rovers had rejected two bids for his services from bitter rivals Burnley.

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The Lancashire Telegraph understands the Clarets did make an enquiry about the Scotland international centre-back.

But they were told Rovers were not interested in selling Hanley.

Bowyer has already lost key first-team players Rudy Gestede, Tom Cairney and Josh King this summer.

And he confirmed he does not want to see Academy graduate Hanley, 23, follow in their footsteps.

“100 per cent,” said the Rovers boss.

“We don’t want to lose any of our players. We’ve already lost three and we don’t want to be losing any more.

“Grant’s our captain and he’s someone who’s grown up here. He has come through the Academy system and got better and better.

“Unfortunately he finished last season injured but he’s come back and looked really sharp.”

The last player to transfer directly between Rovers and Burnley was Peter Devine in 1984 although there were subsequent loan moves for Andy Todd and Jay McEveley in 2003-04.

Hanley, however, is expected to lead Rovers out in tomorrow’s season opener at home to Wolves.

But Bowyer admits he has some tough decisions to make over who to pick at centre-back and in goal.

He said: “They are the key areas for us, in terms of the quality and the numbers that we’ve got, and they will probably be the toughest part in terms of naming the team.”

Rovers also have further options up front after signing striker Nathan Delfouneso on a one-year contract yesterday after he impressed on trial.

Bowyer said: “He’s a good age and he’s got experience of playing in the Championship so he meets the criteria for us and he will add a little bit of difference to our attack.”

Delfouneso can play on the wings and as a forward.

And Bowyer added: “What we’ve looked at this season are people who can play in more than one position, because with the rule that we’re only allowed 24 established players, it’s important you have flexibility in players.

“Nathan can play down the flanks and down the middle and that’s an added bonus for us.”

Delfouneso becomes Rovers’ fourth free transfer signing of the summer after Danny Guthrie, Fode Koita and Sacha Petshi.

Bowyer is unable to pay fees for new players as a result of the club’s embargo for failing Financial Fair Play.

And, with Gestede, Cairney and King gone, Sky Bet, title sponsors of the Championship, reckon 15 other teams stand a better chance of promotion than 11/1 outsiders Rovers.

Bowyer said: “People will be writing us off because of the sales and we have to use that to our advantage.

“We’re only one of a few clubs who not gone out and spent money. We’ve only signed four players and in terms of being busy in the transfer market, we just haven’t been able to.

“But we’ve got a tight spirit, we’ve worked hard on the training ground, and now it’s a case of putting it into practice on Saturday and for the rest of the season.”