Blackburn's England midfielder David Thompson may miss the rest of the season as he recovers from knee surgery.
Thompson has had an operation in America, and Rovers chief executive John Williams admitted the player may have to sit out the remainder of the current campaign.
Williams told his club's website: "The long-term prognosis for a full recovery is very good, but the bottom line is we are going to be without David for quite some time.
"We have to face the fact he might not even play again this season."
Thompson first had surgery on the injury in February. He returned to action and form at the start of this season, before the same problem struck him down again.
