Jon Dahl Tomasson has stressed the importance of getting Blackburn Rovers' injured players up to speed ahead of a crucial month of games.

After a run of seven defeats in nine Championship games, Rovers have four successive matches at Ewood Park. Huddersfield Town, Queens Park Rangers and Stoke City are league opposition with an FA Cup fourth-round tie against Wrexham too.

Rovers have an ideal opportunity to get their season back on track but that, in turn, brings pressure. The schedule is at least much kinder with no midweek match until mid-February.

That gives Tomasson time on the training pitch to try and iron out the defensive issues they've been plagued with and get players fit and up to speed.

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Sam Gallagher and Joe Rankin-Costello both had half an hour at The Hawthorns with Rovers desperate to build their fitness after long-term injuries.

"I think we can all agree that November was a good month for Blackburn Rovers," Tomasson said.

"December was not a good month, a period where there were too many games for this stretched squad.

"That's not a surprise. That is also why I am pleased to have two players back, to give them the opportunity to play. It's extremely important for this squad.

"We will now be playing four games on the bounce at home. That is something I am looking forward to. Getting our fans behind us, which we need, we need to stay together. Hopefully, we can get a good cup run.

"I am pleased to get back to Ewood, playing four games on the bounce at home. To get the fans behind the team, help each other and that togetherness is extremely important."

"Each opportunity to train is very important. Hopefully, we get the weather with us in the upcoming week," he added.

"December was a month with a lot of games where we couldn't rotate, players needed rest between games and so there wasn't much training.

"Now we get the next period with plenty of opportunities to train, which is great. Hopefully, the players will get fitter and fitter.

"Even giving Sam Gallagher 30 minutes today, that is great. Sam has been away for four months, we know we have to get him up to speed quickly, he knows that as well.

"Joe Rankin-Costello, that is also the case. They won't be playing for the 21s on Sunday because this is the biggest load they've had since they got injured."

Aynsley Pears will be in contention for his start since October too after successfully completing 90 minutes for the Under-21s on Sunday. Ryan Hedges should be available at the end of the month with Tyrhys Dolan and John Buckley back in February.