BLACKBURN Rovers could be without four central defenders for the trip to Sheffield Wednesday tomorrow.

Gordon Greer is unlikely to be fit in time for the game at Hillsborough as he continues to be sidelined by the hip injury picked up in the win over QPR on February 4.

Darragh Lenihan could also join the absentee list, rated as a doubt for the Owls trip, having struggled with illness since the draw with Rotherham United on Saturday.

Tommie Hoban and Elliott Ward are long-term absentees, though Hoban could return to first-team training this week as he steps up his recovery from shoulder surgery.

That could see a recall, and just a third league start, for Wes Brown as Rovers return to south Yorkshire, four days after the 1-1 draw at Rotherham.

Rovers continue to await a work permit in their bid to secure a move for Celtic central defender Efe Ambrose, who remains training with the club.

“Tommie Hoban and Elliott Ward are on their way back,” said Coyle, “and we hope that Tommie could train with the group later this week and we’ll look to build him up from there.

“Gordon Greer is still out, he hasn’t been able to train with the group yet but hopefully towards the end of the week that will be a better situation for him.

“Darragh Lenihan has been poorly all weekend, so we’ll have to see how he comes through that but he is a doubt.

“We will get on it and do the best we can.”

Rovers looked to add a central defender to their squad before the January window closed, and despite failing in their efforts to bring in RC Lens defender Abdoul Ba, they tried to bring in Nigerian international Ambrose from Celtic.

However, despite being in his third week of training with Rovers, a decision over whether he will be granted a work permit is ongoing.

“Ideally we could do with Efe for the game,” Coyle said.

“He’s been training well but that is subject to the FA transferring Efe’s work permit from Scotland to England.

“It may surprise people but the FA and SFA seem to have different criteria with what it takes to obtain a work permit.

“We await that final judgement whether that will be approved or not.

“We do have the option on seeking a work permit hearing but we await that final word.

“It’s frustrating for us all.  He’s a great lad who’s trained well, the players like him, but we just have to work our where through the red tape.”

Meanwhile, Lucas Joao is unable to feature against his parent club tomorrow, and is also unavailable for the FA Cup tie with Manchester United on Sunday having played in Sheffield Wednesday’s third round defeat at Middlesbrough.