Ryan Hedges has revealed how those in the Blackburn Rovers treatment room have been supporting each other with their respective injuries.

Hedges is the most long-term absentee having torn his hamstring in September against Ipswich Town, two months ago. Joe Rankin-Costello has suffered the same problem, though he won't need surgery to correct the problem.

Aynsley Pears, Sam Gallagher and Dom Hyam have all been out for around two months with their respective issues too. It has been one thing after another for Jon Dahl Tomasson, who has been unable to keep his squad available.

Hedges was the first major injury setback and with so many following, he admitted the group have been working together to help keep morale high as they recover from their setbacks.

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Players often talk about how being in the gym can be isolating and a lovely place but, looking at the silver lining, that hasn't been the case at Rovers. In particular, Hedges and Pears have been working together on Boxing and other activities to keep themselves sharp as they continue their rehabilitation.

"It seems to be the case, the injured room has been filling up," Hedges told RoversTV. "There was very few before my injury and then they all come along like buses.

"Hopefully a few of them will be back now after the international break. Gally has had a horror time with injuries so it'll be good to see him back on the pitch. We need him and someone to put the ball in the back of the net.

"Hayden as well and Picks isn't far away then hopefully we got good news with Dom's ankle as well. We are heading in the right direction.

"In a selfish way, you don't want anyone to be injured, but me and Pearsy have struck a good relationship and done a lot of gym together. Hopefully, he'll be back in the near future, a bit before me.

"We have been matching work schedules and have been able to do certain things. We've taken up boxing to keep ourselves ticking over. Little things like that help. I don't think either of us will be gearing up for a world title push but he is probably a shade better than me.

"The sports scientists and the physios have been amazing with us so it's credit to them."

Harry Pickering and Hayden Carter are both expected to return from injury against Stoke City whilst Sam Gallagher was expected back on the grass this week, though he won't be rushed after already suffering a setback.

Niall Ennis went off on Tuesday when the Under-21s played Preston North End though that is hopefully just a precaution. Tomasson will provide a full injury round-up at his pre-match Stoke press conference on Friday at lunch-time.