Rovers youngster Sam Barnes is set for another lengthy spell out of action through injury.

The 22-year-old defender missed the best part of a year after suffering an ACL injury in a behind-closed-doors game last season.

Barnes made several appearances during pre-season and started the 4-3 win against Walsall in the Carabao Cup opening round.

Jon Dahl Tomasson admits the youngster’s latest setback is tough to take and has sympathy for the centre-back.

“Sam Barnes has an injury which will take longer so I really feel sorry for him. It is not fun for injured players and especially with his history, it is disappointing,” said the Rovers boss.

“I really feel sorry for the boy. He already had injuries in the youth team and of course, his cruciate ligament injury.

“He has been working so hard and it is mentally tough. It is always the question, ‘Will I come back at the same level?’ I spoke about it with (Bradley) Dack last season.

“He is an excellent player but all the effort and time you are putting in to rehab and coming back, and all those moments where you think, ‘Is it possible? Can I come back and be myself?’ I really feel sorry for Sam and his family.”

Summer signing Arnor Sigurdsson is making progress with his recovery and has done some work on grass this week.

However, the Iceland international is still a way off coming into the first-team picture and making his first appearance in a Rovers shirt.

Jack Vale remains sidelined and Jake Batty is also unavailable for this weekend’s clash with Hull City due to a minor problem.

“Jack is still injured,” Tomasson continued. “Arnor has been out on the pitch but is still a while away.

“It was nice to see him getting some fresh air. Batty is injured with a little thing, it will not take too long.”

When asked when Sigurdsson is likely to come into contention, the boss replied: “Probably (after the international break).

“But we shouldn’t forget that he has been out for a while and you can’t expect a lot of things immediately.

“You don’t always have a player on the bench who is 100 per cent and able to play 90 minutes. You have seen that this season because we have been stretched at times.

“A good example is Niall (Ennis), who has been on the bench but isn’t able to play 90 minutes. It isn’t a perfect situation but we are stretched.”