Blackburn Rovers' injury crisis is only worsening with each passing game.
Scott Wharton's red card, which has been appealed, has added to the selection headache facing Jon Dahl Tomasson this weekend. He has just one fit, senior centre-back available to face Preston North End.
Joe Rankin-Costello also limped off at Carrow Road, adding to an already extended injury list. A lot of the issues are muscle problems and long-term injuries to boot.
With so many players out at the moment, it's quite easy to lose track of who has what problem and when they could return. Here is a handy guide with each player's injury, what has been said and when they could be back in action.
READ MORE: Adam Wharton on Blackburn Rovers future
Joe Rankin Costello
Injury: The defender was taken off on Sunday with a hamstring injury. Tomasson is concerned that it could be a lengthy issue and he went for a scan on Monday.
What JDT said: "It doesn't look great. He will have a scan tomorrow but Joe has a history regarding hamstrings. When he was at the academy, he had a lot of issues. Hopefully, we'll keep our fingers crossed but it doesn't look great at the moment."
Expected return date: Unknown
Hayden Carter
Injury: The centre-back was suspended against Norwich but picked up a hamstring strain against Chelsea.
What JDT said: "Hayden Carter is banned but he also got injured in the game against Chelsea. He will be out for two to three weeks."
Expected return date: November 25, Stoke City (A)
Dom Hyam
Injury: The centre-back came off against Millwall with an ankle injury after hobbling in the first half. Tomasson has not given a clear answer when asked how long he will be out for. Hopefully, it will not be long after the international break.
What JDT said: "Dom will be out for a while, I won't say weeks because I don't know how long it will be. We will have to wait and see. Hopefully it will not be that long but it will not be next week."
Expected return date: Unknown
Sam Gallagher
Injury: Gallagher was ruled out for around six weeks with a calf injury. However, he has suffered a setback in his recovery and picked up another issue with his calf.
What JDT said: "Sam Gallagher has been injured a lot and he's had a setback in his rehab which is very disappointing. He's the only senior striker we have in the squad and he's been working so hard to get fit again. The staff have been working really hard and it's unlucky that he got a setback."
Expected return date: Unknown
Aynsley Pears
Injury: Pears came off injured against Middlesbrough in mid-September after injuring his ankle. He was initially ruled out a month but that was then doubled. He's out of his protective boot and could be back in training soon.
What JDT said: "If everything goes right then he'll throw the crutches and one week and he can start getting used to walking and training again. It will take some weeks still. Probably another month (from October 23)."
Expected return date: End of November.
Ryan Hedges
Injury: The winger had surgery on a serious hamstring injury after coming off against Ipswich Town. He's now off his crutches but a long way from returning.
What JDT said: "He will probably be out for three months, maybe even longer. We have to wait and see. It is extremely disappointing for the lad but also for the team as a senior player. That is football, it's a lot of players in the same position that are getting injured.
Expected return date: 2024.
Sam Barnes
Injury: Barnes suffered a serious thigh injury after coming back from an anterior cruciate ligament tear which kept him out for all of last season.
What JDT said: “He has a problem with his thigh on the same leg that he had an operation on when he suffered his cruciate ligament injury. It’s terrible for Sam and his family and terrible for the squad.
Expected return date: Unknown
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel