Adam Forshaw is facing the prospect of hip surgery and a lengthy spell on the sidelines after struggling to recover from his latest injury.
The experienced midfielder has not featured since the derby with Preston North End at Deepdale, where he went off just after the hour.
After initial treatment, further scans have indicated that surgery is likely to be the next course of action, leaving Rovers without one of their key leaders.
"We've still got a concern about Fors," said head coach Tony Mowbray.
"He's had some scans, it's a hip issue. I don't really want to speculate, I'm not a medical person, but he's going to probably have a procedure on that to help him.
"He's going to be unavailable for a period of time."
Mowbray admits the loss of the former Middlesbrough and Leeds United man will be keenly felt.
"He's a great lad, a leader of the group as well, and plays football how I like the team to play really," he said.
"With the ball he protects the ball, he plays forward passes, he can break it up. He's a real talented boy.
"He's obviously at the wrong end of his career but still he's more than capable of playing 90 minutes of football for us."
There was better news, however, elsewhere on the injury front.
Scott Wharton is expected to step up his comeback in an Under 21s outing against Bolton next week and could return to first team contention soon after, while Mathias Jorgensen is back training with the squad, but remains around a fortnight away.
Forward Augustus Kargbo is also nearing full fitness after impressing and scoring in a recent behind-closed-doors game with Everton following his hamstring setback.
Yuki Ohashi, however, is not yet ready for a return.
"I think we're two or three weeks away still," Mowbray explained.
"He's on the grass, doing his own stuff.
"We'll ease him back in."
The Rovers boss is happy to be patient with the Japanese forward, particularly with Andri Gudjohnsen returning from international duty in form and full of confidence.
"Gudjohnsen has obviously had a good international window, scored a few goals, played a lot of minutes and has come back refreshed and good," Mowbray added.
"Talking to him today he's loving his football, so all positive really and with Ohashi it buys him some time to get himself bob on before he gets back in the team."
Share