Blackburn Rovers duo ruled out of Stoke City clash
Blackburn Rovers duo ruled out of Stoke City clash
Blackburn Rovers are expected to be without Augustus Kargbo and Ryan Hedges for their mid-week trip to Stoke City.
Winger Kargbo limped off with a hamstring problem after 15 minutes in a defeat at Derby County on Saturday while midfielder Hedges picked up a thigh injury in training. They are expected to stay on the sidelines until after the international break.
New boss Valerien Ismael has also been without John Buckley, Owen Beck, Danny Batth, Andi Weimann, Harry Pickering, Harry Leonard and Scott Wharton after replacing Derby-bound John Eustace. Emmanuel Dennis is scheduled to return, however.
Blackburn are only three points off the play-off spots but have picked up one point in their last three games, a home draw with Norwich sandwiched between losses to Swansea and Derby.
Ismael told the Lancashire Telegraph at Pride Park: “We will take some answers from this game to bring into the other game. But the more concern I have today is more the injury again for AK. It’s another player who will be out for the next game. He’s injured his hamstrings. We will have to see how bad it is.
“(Hedges) had an abductor issue after the game against Norwich. He tried on Monday to train and it’s getting worse. So now he will be out until after the international break.”
Blackburn’s next two games before the break are against teams in the relegation battle; Stoke away on Wednesday (8pm) and Cardiff at home on Saturday.
Blackburn reporter Elliott Jackson added: “The gap to the play-off places is now four points. Other teams are finding a way to win and Rovers have to take six points next week. They can’t afford to lose more ground or they will quickly be out of the race. Just as it looked like players were returning, more setbacks. At least Dennis will come back.
“Stoke and Cardiff are both desperate for points to keep themselves away from the bottom three. It will be up to Rovers to send a signal as to how they want this season to end.
“Fail to pick up the requisite points and their seasons could be over by the international break. But two positive results and everyone will hold on to that dream for a few months more.”
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