SEBASTIEN Perez is the latest man to join Blackburn Rovers' ever-increasing casualty list and seems certain to face surgery.

The Frenchman, who scored a first-half goal in Lyon last night, stayed behind as Rovers flew home from their UEFA Cup tie.

He was due to see a specialist in Marseille today and Ewood boss Roy Hodgson admitted that an operation was "99 per cent" certain.

Hodgson revealed that Perez has been carrying a knee injury since the start of the season.

"It kept him out of the side on Saturday and should really have kept him out last night," said the Rovers boss.

"We think he has a piece of loose bone or cartilage in his knee which is blocking the knee."

It is another sickening blow for the club, who already have all four senior strikers on the injured or ill list.

But there was a little consolation for the manager in the manner in which second half substitute Damien Johnson deputised for Perez.

And, at the moment, Rovers need all the bonuses they can collect.

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