The Republic of Ireland international damaged his hamstring when stretching for a pass from David Dunn in Wednesday night's 2-1 defeat at the hands of league-leaders Fulham.

And his worst fears have since been confirmed after scans revealed a slight tear which means he is highly unlikely to kick another ball this season.

"I'm absolutely gutted, to be honest," said Duff.

"I just can't believe this has happened to me because I'm hardly ever injured so to suffer something like this at this stage of the season is devastating, but there's nothing I can do about it.

"It normally takes a couple of days for it to settle down before they can really assess the full extent of the damage.

"But I knew myself straightaway it was fairly serious because I felt it pop and I've since had a scan which revealed a slight tear.

"So it's probably going to take at least four or five weeks to heal because that's how long I was out when I did something similar earlier in the season.

"It's so frustrating it's happened now because I felt like I was getting back to my best and I recently got my first start for Ireland in a long time as well.

"But, the most disappointing thing of all is we've got some big games coming up and I'm not going to be involved which is difficult to accept, especially as I hate watching anyway."

As well as missing the remainder of Rovers' promotion campaign, Duff will also have to pull out of Mick McCarthy's Republic of Ireland squad for their forthcoming World Cup qualifier with Andorra on April 25. But he is already focusing on next season and he is adamant he sees his long-term future at Ewood, despite speculation linking him with a summer move to Newcastle.

"The most important thing now is we achieve our goal and get promoted," said Duff.

"Then, hopefully, my next game with Blackburn will be in the Premiership next season.

"I love it here, I've been with the club since I was 16 and I just want to get back into the Premiership with Blackburn next season.

"I'm really settled in the area and I'm not interested in going anywhere else."

Meanwhile, Rovers promotion hopes received another boost last night when their two main rivals -- Bolton and Birmingham -- drew 2-2 at the Reebok.

Graeme Souness's troops went into today's game at Stockport knowing a victory would open up a five-gap between Rovers and the chasing pack ahead of their Bank Holiday Monday's clash with struggling Huddersfield Town at Ewood.