Hayden Carter & Harry Pickering: Blackburn Rovers defenders out with hamstring injuries
- Published
Hayden Carter and Harry Pickering are key parts of Blackburn's defence when fit
Blackburn Rovers will be without defenders Hayden Carter and Harry Pickering through hamstring injuries for an extended period, boss Jon Dahl Tomasson has confirmed.
Carter, 24, has one goal in 79 first-team games since his July 2020 debut, and will miss 10-11 weeks.
Pickering, 25, has four goals in 107 matches since his move from Crewe in February 2021, and faces six weeks out.
Tomasson described the injuries as a "massive blow" during his media call.
"They're two players who've played a lot, and done well for Blackburn Rovers," Tomasson told BBC Radio Lancashire.
"Hayden doesn't need surgery but 11 weeks before he will be fit, it could be the end of the season but of course he needs to be back fit.
"Over the last one and a half years he's developed a lot and played a lot."
The injuries to Carter and Pickering is a dent to Tomasson's squad, but there has been a new arrival at Ewood Park to bolster the ranks in the shape of Crewe defender Connor O'Riordan.
O'Riordan had been a regular for the Alex, playing 58 games, and also had a spell in Scotland with Raith Rovers.
"It's a position we all know we needed to strengthen, with Hayden and Harry injured as well, so it's positive Connor is here as well," Tomasson added.
"A young boy who has a lot of league football minutes compared to his age, he's a player with potential who we will work with immediately,"