Blackburn Rovers feel as though they have had very little luck with injuries this season.
Throughout the campaign, it is hard to remember a game they have gone into with a fully fit squad.
That has certaintly not helped the Ewood Park club, when it comes to picking up results to keep them secure in the Championship table.
Because of that, John Eustace‘s side now go into their clash with Millwall on Tuesday night 17th in the Championship table, just a point clear of the relegation zone.
Ahead of that game, Blackburn Rovers have now been dealt another big injury setback for the rest of the season.
John Fleck out for the campaign
The final hour of the January transfer window saw Blackburn Rovers manage to complete one eye-catching signing, in the form of John Fleck.
The midfielder joined on a free transfer from Sheffield United, signing a contract until the end of the season.
Fleck looked well set to bring some much needed experience to the side. He would also add some welcome depth to midfield, after the sale of Adam Wharton to Crystal Palace.
But having been handed his Blackburn Rovers debut in the 2-2 draw with Preston North End last month, Fleck was forced off just 17 minutes into that game.
Now, Eustace has revealed that the 32-year-old will miss the remainder of the campaign, as he is set to undergo surgery on the leg injury he picked up at Deepdale.
As a result, there may now be more pressure on one Blackburn Rovers to make an impact for his team over the coming months.
Jake Garrett may get fresh Blackburn Rovers chance
Having made his breakthrough at Ewood Park last season, Jake Garrett has had something of a mixed campaign this time around.
The midfielder has produced some impressive performances at times this season. Indeed, former head coach Jon Dahl Tomasson described the 20-year-old as ‘excellent’ earlier in the campaign.
However, things have dropped off for Garrett in recent weeks. After his attempted clearance led to the only goal of the game in the defeat to Birmingham City, the midfielder then endured difficult matches against Preston North End and Cardiff City.
Having been substituted during that clash in the Welsh capital, the midfielder has now been absent from the starting lineup from Blackburn Rovers’ last three games across all competitions.
But with Fleck now out, there may be more of a need for Eustace to look to Garrett again at some point.
The absence of the 32-year-old restricts their options in the centre of the park, putting more emphasis on their other options to step up in that position.
Given Sondre Tronstad could also be out for that clash with Millwall, that may well have to come in the form of Garrett.
The 20-year-old is one of just a handful of fit and available options in the centre of the park that Blackburn Rovers now have for that game.
Indeed, with John Buckley only recently back after a long spell out, his workload may need to be managed as well going forward.
As a result, it would now be a surprise if Garrett is not someone Blackburn Rovers have to look to at some point between now and the end of the season.
That could be a concern for some given how things have gone when he has featured recently. It should be noted however, that against Newcastle United in the FA Cup, the 20-year-old produced a much more solid performance from the bench.
If he can do that again if and when called upon, the concerns about Garrett’s ability to do a job for Blackburn Rovers, would surely be reduced.
This therefore, could now present another opportunity at Ewood Park, that he simply has to take for the good of all connected to the club.