BLACKBURN Rovers boss Gary Bowyer is unable to put a timescale on Jason Lowe’s return from injury.

Bowyer yesterday confirmed that the reason the versatile midfielder has sat out on the last six weeks has been because he has suffered a stress fracture in his foot.

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Lowe, who has also played right back for Rovers this season, had hoped to be given the green light to step up his rehabilitation during the international break.

But he has been told that he must continue to wear a protective boot and rest up.

That has come as a bitter blow to both the player and his manager.

Bowyer said: “He’s getting frustrated with it but there’s nothing he can do, it’s a stress fracture, so we have to make sure he wears the boot and he keeps off it.

“It’s just time and it’s frustrating for the lad because he’s desperate to play.

“We had hoped during the international break that we would have certainly got some positive news on it.

“It’s healing but it’s taking longer than we all want.

“It’s been a big blow to lose him and I think everybody can see the impact he has on the team.

“When someone’s out you see what contribution they make and he makes a massive contribution with his energy for us. We’ve missed that I feel.”

The better news for Bowyer and Rovers is that striker Rudy Gestede and midfielder David Dunn have been deemed fit for tomorrow’s trip to Ipswich Town. They are expected to be joined in the squad by defenders Grant Hanley and Alex Baptiste providing they do not suffer setbacks in training this morning.

Baptiste missed Rovers’ last two matches before the international break, after coming off at half-time in the 2-2 home draw with Watford with a calf strain, while captain Hanley hurt his knee playing for Scotland last Saturday.

But Baptiste trained for the first time yesterday and Hanley is responding well to treatment.

Winger Josh King also picked up an injury, playing for Norway, during the international break.

But it is understood that Hanley, an ever present in the league so far this season, stands a better chance of being involved against Ipswich.

Midfielder Corry Evans, who helped Northern Ireland to a famous win in Greece in midweek, will return from suspension while goalkeeper Paul Robinson, who has lost his place in the team to Jason Steele, has also returned to training after a knee problem.

“Injuries are part and parcel of football but I feel I’ve always had to comment on them building up to a game,” said Bowyer, who will definitely be without defender Tommy Spurr and striker Chris Brown tomorrow, along with Lowe.

“So we’re hoping we’ll have a more positive run with six tough games coming up for us before the next international break.”