Blackburn Rovers will be without Hayden Carter for 11 weeks whilst Harry Pickering is expected to be out for six weeks.

The two defenders went off on Saturday with hamstring injuries and now face a spell on the sidelines. It's another blow for Jon Dahl Tomasson, who has only just welcomed back three players from long-term injuries.

The addition of Connor O'Riordan has bolstered Tomasson's options but losing Carter is a major setback. Rovers would still like to sign another experienced centre-back before next Thursday's deadline.

"I have good and bad news," Tomasson said. "We have lost Hayden Carter, he will be out for 11 weeks.

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"Harry Pickering will be five, six weeks. We are very disappointed, two players that have played a lot for me.

"We have also got a new player in the building which I am really happy about. The club lost wo in the summer, James Hill came in and went away. Now we have Hayden and Hary Pickering out injured too.

"Hayden doesn't need surgery but it could be the end of the season. 11 weeks wouldn't be but he needs to be back in good shape.

"In the last 18 months, he's developed and played a lot. It's a position we have ben stretched in the whole year. I haven't been able to play a back line of three, I haven't had that flexibility, so we are disappointed."

Tyrhys Dolan will play for the Under-21s this evening against Sparta Prague alongside a host of other first-team players. The forward told RoversTV earlier this week that he was hopeful of being involved against Wrexham on Monday.

Tomasson will assess how he performs at Ewood Park tonight and then will make a decision for the FA Cup tie.

"Tyrhys Dolan will play for the 21s today," he said. "I think before he got injured he was playing really well and flying at the time. I am pleased to see him back.

"He has trained a few times with the team and now he will play one hour tonight. It's a little bit of a same situation as Sam Gallagher and Joe Rankin-Costello, they have been out for a while.

"We need to bring them back quickly but not where they become dangerous. That's why I am pleased they have got minutes and they are in a better position than last week. Let's hope it's the same for Tyrhys.

"We will see how he does and make a decision in regards to our choices for Monday."