MARK Hughes is facing up to the fact he could be without defender Andre Ooijer for the whole of the Christmas period.

The Dutch international centre-back, who has been a regular starter for most of the season, was due to have a scan today to assess the full extent of the injury he sustained during the closing stages of Sunday's defeat to West Ham United.

In the immediate aftermath of the 1-0 defeat to the Hammers, Hughes wasn't sure if the 33-year-old had injured his hamstring or damaged his calf, but it has since been confirmed as a hamstring problem.

Now Ooijer will undergo a scan and if it transpires he has suffered a tear, then he could be sidelined for a number of weeks, which would rule him out of the festive programme.

With Rovers facing five games in 15 days this month, starting with Saturday's clash with Wigan Athletic at the JJB Stadium, Hughes can ill afford to lose any of his senior players for an extended period.

However, Ooijer's likely absence is at least tempered by the return of skipper Ryan Nelsen, who is now available again following the completion of a two-match ban.