Jon Dahl Tomasson has been hit with the news that Callum Brittain faces a number of weeks on the sidelines.

Brittain was forced off only eight minutes into the weekend’s defeat to Preston North End after failing to shake off the effects of an early Ryan Ledson challenge.

He was taken for a scan which has revealed a partial tear of his medial collateral ligament, which is expected to keep him out of action for a number of weeks.

His injury comes at a time when Rovers face five games in 15 days, starting with Saturday’s trip to high-flying Norwich City.

A club statement read: “Callum Brittain is set for a spell on the sidelines after suffering a knee injury in Saturday’s game against Preston North End.

“The Rovers full-back was forced off inside eight minutes at Ewood Park after being on the end of a robust challenge from Preston’s Ryan Ledson.

“Scan results have revealed a partial tear of the 24-year-old’s medial collateral ligament, which is expected to keep him out of action for a number of weeks.

“Brittain will now begin his rehabilitation process and we wish him a speedy recovery.”

The 24-year-old was making his 14th appearance of the season, having become the club’s first signing of the summer when joining from Barnsley in July.

Brittain started each of Rovers’ first five matches, but that remains his longest run in the side to date, missing six matches through to separate injury lay-offs, as well as being on the bench twice.

He has been used as a right back and right wing-back, as well as operating on the left side of the defence, with Jon Dahl Tomasson keen to utilise his versatility.

Brittain was signed as Ryan Nyambe’s replacement, with the Namibian having left on a free transfer in the summer.

The arrival of Brittain saw James Brown loaned out to Stockport County in League Two, while Joe Rankin-Costello had been primed to leave on loan on deadline day, only to see that fall through.

Tomasson has preferred Ryan Hedges as a right wing-back in recent weeks, while Hayden Carter is another option during Brittain’s lay-off.

Rovers were already without Harry Pickering against Preston, but he is expected to be available for this weekend’s trip to Norwich City.

Pickering was surprisingly left out of the side against Burnley, and then missed out at the weekend with an injury picked up training, with his absence unrelated to the illness which saw him replaced in the first half of the friendly against Ajax.

Tayo Edun featured in both of the friendlies in Marbella, but hasn’t featured in a Championship match since September, with all of his three starts this season coming in the Carabao Cup.

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