John Eustace is confident Blackburn Rovers will cope without Hayden Carter and believes he has enough options to call on.

The 24-year-old had surgery on his knee last week and won't play against this side of Christmas. He should be back in January, if his rehabilitation goes to plan.

That leaves Rovers with Dom Hyam (28), who has played every minute this season, Danny Batth (33) and Kyle McFadzean (37) as senior options. Harry Pickering has also played centre-back in a three-man rearguard.

Eustace hasn't looked into the Academy for any further depth as he believes he has enough versatility in the squad.

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"Obviously it's a big blow losing Hayden last week. His operation went very well, it was successful but he will be out for the next eight to 12 weeks," he said.

"He's fine, he's been in a similar situation and come back a better player. He'll use the time wisely and come back raring to go after Christmas.

"That's a big blow. We have still got the three senior lads at centre-back. We have other options, we have Picks, Cal and Joe if we need them.

"The lads had a good test against Arsenal, they were 4-1 up and it was important for them to get the minutes in their legs.

"You could see they were a bit rusty, all the senior boys that played, but it's important they get that out of their bodies and they did that.

"For those that aren't starting, as many 23 games as they can play is great. Callum played the week before and that is what those games are there for.

"It's vital. Everyone will agree that the players we bring in have different roles and responsibilities. Danny came in at 33 and didn't come to play week in, week out and Fadz the same with Hayden and Dom there.

"We have those two and hopefully some younger lads coming through. All these things are considered in recruitment and what their roles and responsibilities will be throughout the season. That's important."

Rovers were on the receiving end of a controversial penalty last weekend which Eustace was adamant shouldn't have been given. Decisions of that nature often rear the discussion of VAR given its use in the Premier League.

Eustace is not particularly keen to have the extra technology implemented but, given its used in the play-off final, believes it should be used across the competition and not for select games.

"I think looking back, there were some people who thought it was a penalty, some who didn't," he said.

"I was disappointed after the game after a positive display but over the course of a season things even themselves out. Hopefully, we can get a 'dodgy' penalty in the next few weeks.

"VAR is in the Premier League so why not bring it down to the Championship? Although, I'm not a big fan of VAR if I'm being totally honest.

"I think it's their jobs to make the decisions, the referee, the linesmen and the fourth officials. That is their job and to get extra help is probably not needed.

"They're not robots, people make mistakes. The same way that players do and managers do, it's all part of the beautiful game. Over the course of the season, I think results even themselves out.

"I don't think it should just be one game that it's in for, if you're having it. We had a perfectly good goal against Ipswich at the end of last season disallowed and that could have sent us down.

"We lost that game and everyone is a big one over a 46-game season. If they're going to bring it in, it should be in for every game."