Rovers suffer Ooijer blow
Blackburn will be without Andre Ooijer for several weeks
Thursday, 13, Dec 2007 05:59
Blackburn Rovers defender Andre Ooijer has suffered a torn hamstring and will be ruled out for at least a month, the club have confirmed.
The Dutch international will miss the busy Christmas period after he was forced out of last Sunday's Premier League match against West Ham United.
Rovers manager Mark Hughes has confirmed that the injury is a "grade 2.8 tear" and will keep him out for "a minimum of four or five weeks".
"He pulled up very sharply and it was quite clear that it was a significant injury," Hughes said.
"You would like to have the benefit of everybody fit and well.
"Certainly in this Christmas period where the games come thick and fast and the recovery time in between games isn't great, so you need fit and able guys out there.
"We'll miss Andre because I think he's been excellent - one of our better performers this season - but he's not available so that gives an opportunity for other players that have been itching to get out there."
Blackburn have a challenging yuletide schedule ahead of them with matches against three of the division's top six sides - Arsenal in the League Cup, and Chelsea and Manchester City in the league.
Hughes' side also face Wigan Athletic, Derby County and Sunderland in the league before hosting Championship side Coventry City in the FA Cup in the first weekend of January.