Blackburn Rovers have been cursing their luck on the injury front this season.

Jon Dahl Tomasson's side have suffered badly with players in the treatment room, which has stretched an already thin-looking squad to its maximum. Against Sheffield Wednesday, there were nine Championship starts between the bench, coming from two players.

As we enter a busy run of fixtures in December, Rovers need players back as soon as possible. One positive is Lewis Travis will at least return from suspension to face Leeds United.

A free week on the training pitch will hopefully keep the players fresh as they prepare to go again. At the moment, there are nine players on the sidelines with varying degrees of issues.

The hope is that some of them should return at some stage in December, whilst there remain long-term absentees that won't be back until the New Year. Here's a round-up of the injuries and when fans might get to see the players return.

Arnor Sigurdsson

Injury: The Blackburn Rovers forward missed the match against Sheffield Wednesday with a groin problem. It's understood that the club are hopeful it is not a serious issue.

What JDT said: The Rovers head coach will give an update at his next press conference after being unable to speak to the media after Sheffield Wednesday.

Expected return date: Mid-December

Niall Ennis

Injury: The striker limped off with a hamstring injury in an Under-21s match against Preston North End last month. He was initially ruled out for a couple of weeks.

What JDT said: "Niall got injured the other day for the 21s, it's a player who came into the building with a lot of physical issues. He is now injured again and I am disappointed for the boy."

Expected return date: Mid-December

Dom Hyam

Injury: Hyam is out running on the grass as he steps up his recovery from an ankle injury. He will re-join training after that and feature in the Under-21s/behind closed games before being in contention.

What JDT said: "With Dom, it'll be four or five weeks more (from Nov 10). Hopefully, we get him back soon."

Expected return date: Mid-late December.

Sam Gallagher

Injury: Gallagher has endured a very tough time with injuries. He was initially ruled out for eight weeks (in mid-September) with a calf injury and then suffered a setback. It was hoped he'd be back outside at the end of last month but he hasn't returned to training yet.

What JDT said: "I am always afraid of giving a day when there has been a setback as well. But, hopefully, he can be out starting to do a bit in 10 days time (20th Nov). Then he needs to build it up again. I won't give a date but it's going in the right direction."

Expected return date: End of December

Aynsley Pears

Injury: Pears came off injured against Leicester City at the start of October after breaking two metatarsal. The injury has taken longer than initially diagnosed and he is still working away from the main group as he continues his rehabilitation.

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 December.

Tyrhys Dolan

Injury: Dolan is facing two months out with a knee injury. It's another big blow for Rovers and he won't be back until next year.

What JDT said: "He will be out for seven to eight weeks. It's not cruciate ligament but it's damage on his knee and it will take seven to eight weeks."

Expected return date: February 2024

Joe Rankin Costello 

Injury: It was bad news for Rankin-Costello, who faces three months on the sidelines with a hamstring injury. Fortunately, he doesn't need surgery.

What JDT said: "Rankin-Costello will be out for a long time, about three months.

"It's hugely disappointing for the players themselves when they get injured. We know they want to contribute to the team."

Expected return date: February 2024

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: February 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