Doncaster Rovers still monitoring Greenock Morton striker Jai Quitongo

Rovers saw a bid for the teenage striker turned down by Scottish club Greenock Morton before the transfer window closed.

Ferguson remains interested in Quitongo – who this week received his first call-up for Scotland U21s – as he prioritises the signing of a new forward in January.

But he concedes Rovers now face strong competition now the word is out on the striker.

“We’re still looking but I don’t think we’ll get him,” Ferguson told the Free Press.

“I think we’ve missed the boat now because there are a lot of clubs interested in him.

“But we’ll try. We like him a lot.

“We’ll maybe have another look at it in January which is obviously the only time we can and see what happens then.”

West Ham United, Crystal Palace and Swansea City have all reportedly shown interest in Quitongo since Rovers had their bid rejected.

Ferguson says Rovers were aware of the 19-year-old some time ago and hoped to secure a deal as he operated under the radar.

“We’ve got a scout in Scotland,” he said. “He was with Aberdeen at an early age and got released, the boy.

“We were aware of him before the start of the season and had him watched right away.

“We think he’s ready. The problem in the summer was I don’t think he felt right coming down to England. He’s only a young kid.

“Maybe that will have changed by January.

“I know one or two are looking at him - one Premier League club in particular.

“We will have another look in January but it is certainly an area that I’m looking to get somebody in for.”