Blackburn striker Jason Roberts will be sidelined for at least three months after breaking a metatarsal bone during the 2-1 defeat by West Ham at the weekend.

Roberts had to be replaced by Francis Jeffers after 28 minutes at Upton Park as the Hammers ended their recent poor run with a hard-fought victory.

The news is a major blow to manager Mark Hughes, who already has Steven Reid and Ryan Nelsen on the long-term injury list, while Brett Emerton, Morten Gamst Pedersen and Shabani Nonda are all looking doubtful for Blackburn's UEFA Cup clash with FC Basel on Thursday.