Szmodics missed Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup game against Chelsea with a niggle which could see him miss the trip to Carrow Road. Carter is suspended anyway but Rovers boss Jon Dahl Tomasson had hoped he’d be available to face Preston North End next weekend.

However, he’s now out on the sidelines which leaves James Hill and Scott Wharton as the only fit, senior centre-backs available for selection. Hill has been impressive and did well in the middle against Chelsea.

“Sam Szmodics is doubtful. We have a big list of injured players. Sam Barnes, Sam Gallagher, Ryan Hedges, Aynsley Pears, Dom Hyam,” Tomasson told the Lancashire Telegraph.

“Hayden Carter is banned but he also got injured in the game against Chelsea. He will be out for two to three weeks.

“It was a position where we have only got one player so we are extremely stretched. James is doing very well, we’ve seen him as a right-back and he’s done well and now we’ll see him as a central defender. I thought he had a great performance against one of the best teams in Europe.

“He has a lot of potential. There’s a lot of energy around him in the building and on the pitch. It’s great to see but we are stretched.”

None of those on the long injury list is expected back before the international break. Sam Gallagher had hoped to return soon but it’s not been revealed he’s suffered a setback with a calf injury.

The striker has been out since mid-October with the issue and now will be out for even longer. Tomasson hasn’t put a timeframe on his return.

“I don’t think any of them will be back before the international break,” Tomasson said. “Sam Gallagher has been injured a lot and he’s had a setback in his rehab which is very disappointing.

“He’s the only senior striker we have in the squad and he’s been working so hard to get fit again. The staff have been working really hard and it’s unlucky that he got a setback.

“We’ll have to wait and see when he’s back but Sam is a proven Championship player. He’s a senior player in that position.

“Every injured player is a blow but he’s been out for a while and has a history with getting injured. It hurts, especially for the lad. We’re very disappointed.