Jon Dahl Tomasson believes an inability to fly to long-distance away matches has contributed to Blackburn Rovers' injury woes.

Rovers have suffered a lot of muscular problems this season, with Joe Rankin-Costello the latest in the list. Sam Gallagher (calf), Ryan Hedges (hamstring) and Hayden Carter (hamstring) have all been ruled out with soft-tissue injuries.

Since the last international break, Rovers have travelled over 2,000 miles with trips to Queens Park Rangers, Millwall, Chelsea and Norwich City. They have made all these journeys on their upgrade, state-of-the-arch coach.

However, due to budget cuts in the summer, flying has not been a possibility. Tomasson believes this has been a contributing factor to their injury problems, as well as a reduced squad and an increased amount of stoppage time.

READ MORE: Blackburn Rovers suffer injury blow

"I think that we have a smaller squad and the demands of the game with the extra time, you need a bigger squad," Tomasson told The Lancashire Telegraph. 

"We have not a lot of players that are used to playing a lot of games. Having that robustness and are used to the intensity.

"I think a big one is travelling and the way you travel. I am not trying to find excuses, not at all. But is is facts, that is why I have been speaking about driving to Norwich, driving back, you are tired in your body and head.

"Ryan Hedges got the injury after a long journey to Ipswich. Joe is now out after the trip to Norwich. 

"Imagine you've then played 90 minutes and you had the same journey three days before to London. We are not complaining but this is what happens when you cut the budget but it has made an impact."

"Yes, we'd have like to have flown. I remember Cardiff flew to Blackburn and then travelled to Blackpool to fly back and then flew to Huddersfield three days later.

"That is better preparation and it gives you a better chance to perform."

Rovers were unable to beat Burnley or Preston North End in their Lancashire derbies last season. Whilst they had success against Blackpool home and away, fans will want to earn back some bragging rights, particularly against North End.

Tomasson is expecting a frenetic atmosphere, with over 20,000 fans expected inside Ewood Park despite the match being live on Sky Sports.

The Rovers head coach anticipates a tough game against Preston but is not fixating on the Championship table

"We are proud of the players, the way they are performing, the way they are performing," Tomasson said. "They will go in with a lot of confidence, into a local derby.

"There will be a lot of fans, Preston are bringing a lot of fans, we are bringing a lot of fans. It will be a good atmosphere and we want to give a really good performance.

"To be honest, I totally forgot the game last season (jokes). We have been slowly improving from when I arrived. There have been ups and downs, we're steady and this season has been even better than the last part of last season. We should have more points, I think that's clear. 

"The play-offs are not what I am looking at, we haven't played half the games and there are a lot of matches to play football. I am looking at our performances, attacking and how we're defending.

"If we keep doing that, I think we'll get results. We know what to expect from Preston, what they are good at, they're a running team. They create a lot of set-pieces, transition moments, a lot of crossing. They defend really well.

"It should be a great game, different styles. Not one better than the other but a great local derby with 20,000 at Ewood."