Blackburn Rovers injury update for Birmingham City clash

The defender got on the scoresheet against the Potters but came off after just 10 minutes following a collision with Dwight Gayle, needing lengthy treatment.

Wharton had to be patient for opportunities during the opening stages of the campaign but has been a regular starter in recent weeks.

He joins a lengthy injury list alongside the likes of Aynsley Pears, Dom Hyam, Ryan Hedges, Sam Gallagher and Joe Rankin-Costello.

“That is the bad news, Scott is not ready for the game,” Jon Dahl Tomasson confirmed.

“It is going better with Scott, and what a goal he scored! What a brave challenge when he got injured.

“He will be out for this game against Birmingham and we still miss Pears, (Sam) Barnes, Hyam, Hedges, Gallagher, Rankin-Costello, (Niall) Ennis and I’ve probably forgotten one!

“They are all injured, we are still missing about eight senior players.”

The fixtures start to come thick and fast at this time of year, and Tomasson is hopeful of getting some bodies back available next month.

“I expect Scotty to be back (before Christmas) and hopefully maybe we will have one or two back around Christmas. We will keep our fingers crossed for that.

“They are working extremely hard to get back, and the medical department and sports scientists as well. Hopefully, we will get some players back.”

Rovers will be keen to build on their win at Stoke when they welcome Wayne Rooney’s Birmingham to Ewood Park on Wednesday night (7.45pm).

“We all know that scoring the first goal is important. It has been really nice to see the team creating lots of chances, we are doing that really well,” the boss explained.

“Birmingham got a great result the other day when they won 2-1 (against Sheffield Wednesday). They are a team who shoot a lot from distance, probably the most in the league.

“They dribble a lot and have players who can hurt us. But if we are doing all the right things, we have a good chance with a good performance.”