The ever-present record of Thomas Kaminski is under threat after the Belgian was forced off in the second half of Rovers’ win at Stoke City.

The 28-year-old injured himself saving a Romaine Sawyers shot in the second half and was unable to continue.

Aynsley Pears replaced him, his first match action since January, and pulled off a late save to ensure a second successive clean sheet for Rovers.

Kaminski’s injury was the one downside to an excellent away display for Rovers who went fourth in the league after collecting a fifth win in seven matches.

He will now undergo a scan to learn the severity of the injury which manager Tony Mowbray said was to his ‘lower abdominal’.

Kaminski won Rovers’ player of the year last season and has been a dependable figure between the sticks, missing only three league games since signing in August 2020 from KAA Gent.

Pears, also brought in last summer, has had to be patient for opportunities as a result but impressed for the Under-23s against Arsenal earlier in the week and could be primed for a run in the side.

“Kaminski is a huge situation for us. I’ve been talking to him and we’re going to get it scanned,” Mowbray said.

“I think it’s lower abdominal, let’s hope it’s not a muscle tear.

“It’s a cold day, freezing cold, difficult for a goalie because you’re not running around everywhere and then suddenly you’re called into action.

“Maybe he has torn a muscle, or strained it. That would be a blow for us.

“Pears came in and did well so if it’s an opportunity for Pearsy to give himself a chance to play in goal then so be it.”