Owen Beck has been ruled out for the remainder of the season whilst Hayden Carter's campaign may be over too.
The Liverpool loanee re-injured his hamstring at Portsmouth last weekend and is now going to be out for eight weeks. As a result, his time at Ewood Park is over and is likely to return to Merseyside for his treatment.
Carter was taken off with a minor calf strain at Fratton Park but that has appeared more serious than first expected. Having only just returned from a long-term knee issue, it is now unlikely he will play again either.
"We've got a clear assessment for Beckey and Hayden," Ismael said.
READ MORE: Blackburn Rovers confirm first contract renewal after 16-month wait
"Beck, for sure, will be out of the season now, it will be eight weeks. I think it's a discussion now between the clubs, but it makes sense to go that way (back to Liverpool).
"The way I want to play, I need the energy, the intensity and I like those profiles. So, when you've got those profiles in your squad, then you can't wait to see the player to try to do the job.
"When you lose the player after 10 minutes, when he comes back, then it's difficult.I was really excited to work with him, but unfortunately, it's gone the other way. "
On Carter, he added: "Hayden is more five, six weeks, so it will depend on his recovery. It is his calf.
"It will be difficult to get him back, so it will be two players more. Otherwise, Picks is back, he played well with the 21s in Liverpool, so he will be available for the game tomorrow at least.
"The rest, it's the same, Callum Brittain is out, Dennis is out, Kargbo is out. I think it's the story of the season, the lack of consistency for the players and for the team.
"You see it's possible but the players coming back get injured and then they are out again and after they need to catch up you are just chasing your fitness, you are just chasing your shape."
Emmanuel Dennis had another scan on his hamstring injury and won't be back before Rovers travel to Luton Town next Saturday, if not before.
"It is unlikely," Ismael said on whether he'd play in the next two games.
"If you want to force him to take another risk, so this is the question now, how far we want to push, we want to risk anything. It's the health of the player as well, the most important thing.
"He made a scan to check, so he's not completely ready. The musculature is not completely healthy, so it's still a big risk. So, I can't see him to be back really quick, maybe over next week. More likely, but we need to assess him in 10 days."
The injuries at right-back mean Joe Rankin-Costello will deputise at right-back. He has not been able to nail down a consistent role in the team this season.
"I think you always need this kind of player in your squad, a player who is able to play everywhere," he said.
"When I was a player, I had some players like that in the squad. So, they are able to help you in any position you need.
"I don't want to put him in a position and say, now you're the expert on that position. Now we need him as a right-back, so he will help us, but we know that he's able to play on the winger position, on the eighth position in midfield, and even higher on the pitch if you need. He's an intelligent player.
"He understands the game tactically. He has that understanding. So, we are pleased to have him, but as I say, hopefully, he can still fit because behind him will be tight then. We know we need him as a right-back. So, his position at the minute is as a right-back."
Share