Blackburn Rovers' squad will be tested to the limit with big games coming thick and fast over the Christmas period.

Jon Dahl Tomasson has made the most of a free week on the training ground, with time a precious commodity in the upcoming fortnight. 

Rovers will play four times between the 23rd and New Year's Day, with Yorkshire trips to Huddersfield Town and Hull City sandwiched either side of Watford and Rotherham United at Ewood Park.

It's going to leave very little rest and recovery time for an already stretched squad that will again be put through the wringer.

READ MORE: Rovers midfielder facing lengthy spell on sidelines

Rovers were at least boosted by the return of Dom Hyam last weekend, albeit only as an unused substitute. After a week of full training, he's getting ready to play a role in the festive programme.

It's like the vice-captain will be on the bench against Watford again, with Huddersfield or Hull a more likely date for his return to the field. Having him back in the squad is a major boost though, whether it's in the dressing room or on the Ewood turf.

The club also released footage of Joe Rnakin-Costello, Sam Gallagher and Ryan Hedges making their way back onto the grass after long spells out. Whilst Rankin-Costello and Hedges aren't expected until February time, Gallagher's return in the next few weeks would be a welcome sight.

The striker has really struggled with a calf issue this season, which has kept him out since September 16. Harry Leonard has held the fort with Niall Ennis now available again too, but Rovers would love to see their number nine back in the squad.

Overall, the upcoming fixtures will be important to Rovers' top-six aspirations. They've lost three of their last four Championship games, albeit two of which have been against two sides a class above and chasing automatic promotion.

Rovers are part of what I am dubbing 'The Pack', basically any team between fifth and 15, separated by very little on the pitch and in the table too. 

Games against those in the same situation will be important, as is the case when they face Watford and Hull. Huddersfield and Rotherham are sides down the bottom scrapping for their lives, who Rovers have tended to drop points against too.

They already drew 2-2 at the New York Stadium, rallying to earn a draw after falling two behind. Last season, they were held to the same scoreline by Huddersfield, again rallying from a two-goal deficit.

Tomasosn will have to call upon his whole squad to maximise his resources in these four games. Lewis Travis and Jake Garrett are likely to see more minutes, with Ennis perhaps ready to start against Watford too.

Callum Brittain's red card will at least keep him fresh for Boxing Day though it means the same defence as the one at St Mary's is likely to start. 

After the defeat to Southampton, Tomasson again banged the drum: “I have a lot of players that have played too many minutes and they aren’t used to playing too many minutes. 

"The squad is stretched and it’s a very young squad at this level. We have the opportunity to rest and hopefully, they can get going again for next week.”

Though they have a thin squad, only five teams have used more players than Rovers this season, probably in part due to their injury problems. As a result, we've seen more academy graduates make the squad.

A positive result against Watford is paramount to bring some festive cheer to Ewood Park and sign off for 2023 at home with a bang. The form in front of their own fans has been disappointing and rather peculiar, given how strong they were last season.

They will need energy to carry them through such a congested period. Rovers are hoping it will be a season of goodwill on that front.