Jon Dahl Tomasson is hopeful that Hayden Carter will be fit to face Preston North End after coming off against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup.

The Blackburn Rovers defender was substituted in the second half and he was replaced by Scott Wharton. Carter is unable to play against Norwich City on Sunday after picking up a fifth yellow card in the Championship against Swansea City, triggering a one-match ban.

That gives the 24-year-old 10 days to recover from any niggle, with Preston North End travelling to Ewood Park on Friday, November 10. Tomasson is hopeful he will be available for that fixture.

“I hope not! I don't know if it is serious or not. I have a stretched squad, a young squad and not the biggest squad as well,” he said when asked on Carter’s injury.

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“Hopefully, he is fit. He can’t lay at the weekend because he got his fifth yellow card against Swansea. Hopefully he is ok for the next game against Preston as well, a local derby the week after.”

Carter’s suspension means James Hill and Wharton are likely to be the centre-back pairing at Carrow Road against the under-pressure Canaries. David Wagner’s side have won just one of their last nine Championship games with questions being asked about his future at the club.

Sam Szmodics missed Rovers' trip to Chelsea with a minor injury and the club hope he will be available to play at the weekend. Sam Gallagher and Dom Hyam won't be back until after the international break whilst Ryan Hedges, Aynsley Pears and Sam Barnes are long-term absentees.