Blackburn Rovers are hoping to recover a few players over the international break with injuries stretching the squad to its maximum.

Jon Dahl Tomasson has limited options available after a flurry of muscle problems to key men. Joe Rankin-Costello was the latest player to be ruled out long-term after suffering a hamstring injury against Norwich City.

However, Rovers are hopeful of having a couple of players back for Stoke City in 11 day's time. Other long-term absentees are making positives progress towards a return too.

Here is a full list of Blackburn's injured player and when they could return, with an update on Sam Gallagher.

Hayden Carter

Injury: The centre-back missed the match against Preston with a hamstring injury. They hope he will be available again after the international break.

What JDT said: "Hayden Carter is banned but he also got injured in the game against Chelsea. He will be out for two to three weeks."

Expected return date: November 25, Stoke City (A)

Harry Pickering

Injury: The left-back missed Friday's defeat to Preston North End with a quadricep injury. He is expected back for Stoke after the international break.

What JDT said: "He had problems after the first half (Norwich) but he was able to finish the game.

"After that in the upcoming days, it was too much. I don't think it will be too long for him. Hopefully after the international break."

Expected return date: November 25, Stoke City (A)

Sam Gallagher

Injury: Gallagher was ruled out for around six weeks with a calf injury. He suffered a setback and injured his calf again but is expected to return to the training pitch next week. He will then need time to build his fitness after being out for over two months.

What JDT said: "I am always afraid of giving a day when there has been a setback as well. But, hopefully, he can be out starting to do a bit in 10 days time (20th Nov). Then he needs to build it up again. I won't give a date but it's going in the right direction."

Expected return date: December

Dom Hyam

Injury: Hyam came off with an ankle injury at Millwall and has missed the last five matches with that issue. After initially being coy on when he'd return, Tomasson expects the defender back in four to five weeks.

What JDT said: "With Dom, it'll be four or five weeks more. Hopefully, we get him back soon."

Expected return date: December 16, Southampton (A)

Aynsley Pears

Injury: Pears came off injured against Middlesbrough in mid-September after injuring his ankle. He was initially ruled out a month but that was then doubled. He's out of his protective boot and could be back in training soon.

What JDT said: "If everything goes right then he'll throw the crutches and one week and he can start getting used to walking and training again. It will take some weeks still. Probably another month (from October 23)."

Expected return date: End of November.

Joe Rankin Costello 

Injury: It was bad news for Rankin-Costello, who faces three months on the sidelines with a hamstring injury. Fortunately, he doesn't need surgery.

What JDT said: "Rankin-Costello will be out for a long time, about three months.

"It's hugely disappointing for the players themselves when they get injured. We know they want to contribute to the team."

Expected return date: February 2024

Ryan Hedges

Injury: The winger had surgery on a serious hamstring injury after coming off against Ipswich Town. He's now off his crutches but a long way from returning.

What JDT said: "He will probably be out for three months, maybe even longer. We have to wait and see. It is extremely disappointing for the lad but also for the team as a senior player. That is football, it's a lot of players in the same position that are getting injured."

Expected return date: February 2024.

Sam Barnes

Injury: Barnes suffered a serious thigh injury after coming back from an anterior cruciate ligament tear which kept him out for all of last season.

What JDT said: “He has a problem with his thigh on the same leg that he had an operation on when he suffered his cruciate ligament injury. It’s terrible for Sam and his family and terrible for the squad."

Expected return date: Unknown