Blackburn Rovers dealt defensive injury crisis ahead of Preston North End derby clash

Blackburn Rovers are enduring injury turmoil ahead of their clash with Preston North End on Friday night.

The first Lancashire Derby of the season takes place at Ewood Park, in front of the Sky Sports cameras. Blackburn, who won at Norwich City on Sunday evening, are set to be without several key players though. In the closing stages of their 3-1 win at Carrow Road, defender Scott Wharton was shown a straight red card.

He brought down Onel Hernandez, who was running through on goal and as a result Wharton was given his marching orders. Rovers boss Jon Dahl Tomasson believed it to be a 'soft' decision. The club will consider appealing, which could offer Blackburn a reprieve. After Wharton's red card, Rovers wide man Joe Rankin-Costello went off with a hamstring injury which ‘didn’t look great’ according to Tomasson.

The blows to Wharton and Rankin-Costello come amid the absences of central defenders Dom Hyam and Hayden Carter. Hyam will be 'out for a while' after suffering an ankle injury towards the end of last month. He is ruled out until after the international break. Carter, meanwhile, is sidelined after being forced off against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup last week.

Rovers’ options in goal and attack are also limited, with Sam Gallagher out until at least the end of the month with a calf issue. Wales international Ryan Hedges, meanwhile, is sidelined for at least three months after suffering a hamstring injury against Ipswich Town in September. Shot-stopper Aynsley Pears is absent with a foot injury and young centre-back Sam Barnes remains on the treatment table following a thigh injury in August.