Pedersen injury blow for Rovers

Blackburn star Morten Gamst Pedersen has been ruled out of one of the most crucial weeks of the club’s season after injuring his hamstring on international duty last night.

The Norway international limped off in the first half of his side’s 2-1 defeat to Croatia and is now expected to be sidelined for at least a week.

It means Pedersen – who scored both goals in Rovers’ 2-1 win over Sheffield United last week – will miss Saturday’s clash with Everton, the UEFA Cup trip to Bayer Leverkusen and next week’s FA Cup fifth round meeting with either Arsenal or Bolton.

Rovers boss Mark Hughes said: “Morten is not looking good at the moment and is going to be out for 10 or 11 days. It is a blow for us because of the important week we have ahead.”