Dom Hyam will be out for 'a while' with Jon Dahl Tomasson coy on when the Blackburn Rovers defender will return.

The centre-back came off in midweek against Millwall with an ankle injury. The 27-year-old limped on during the first half before being taken off at half-time.

Tomasson has confirmed Hyam will 'not be back next week' but wouldn't be more specific on when he might return, though said it would not be before the international break. Scott Wharton is in line to start against Swansea City after doing well at The Den.

"Dom is out which is a blow for the team," Tomasson said. "He can play with pain and he'll do that for the club and the fans but he can't play injured.

READ MORE: Swansea City injury doubts ahead of Rovers trip

"We are disappointed, it's a position where we had experience with Dom but now it's a position where we are stretched because Ayala went away. Ashley Phillips went to Tottenham and we only got James in.

"We're not totally full, shall we say that. I am using Tom (Atcheson), at the minute. He is sitting on the bench, agreat lad and a lot of potential but he's not ready for this level.

"Dom will be out for a while, I won't say weeks because I don't know how long it will be. We will have to wait and see.

"Hopefully it will not be that long but it will not be next week."

Hyam has been a regular for Rovers ever since coming to the club and has only had one spell on the sidelines in January. Tomasson admitted being without him will be a big blow but it opens up an opportunity for Wharton.

"He has been excellent from day one, I remember him at Blackpool and he didn't know anyone's names but I put him straight in," Tomasson said. "He's been important in the dressing room and on the pitch.

"When a player gets injured or moves clubs, other people get the chance. We have a few options in what we can do. Scott did well at Millwall. He's been patient and training well.

"We have kept him up to speed so that's positive and it's always about grabbing the chance. The other two have played well for a long while and you look at that, training and internal games.

"That's why I am pleased with the way he performed when he came back from the bench. He did well. I always talk to my players, every day and week-to-week and those that aren't playing as much.

"If you're not playing, you are still important to me. We need everyone, we don't have the biggest squad or the most experience so we need to keep the team together."

Harry Leonard will be back around the first-team squad this weekend after injury. Lewis Travis is still out but progressing whilst Ryan Hegdes, Sam Barnes, Aynsley Pears and Sam Gallagher remain out.