Blackburn manager Tony Mowbray has confirmed that centre-back Derrick Williams will miss up to three weeks after picking up an injury on international duty.

Williams was away from Blackburn this week as he linked up with the Republic of Ireland squad for the international break where they played New Zealand in a friendly, before a crunch European qualifier against Denmark at the Aviva Stadium.

Williams did not play against Denmark after being withdrawn in the New Zealand friendly just before the hour mark with a calf injury. The Blackburn defender still had the chance to score for his country before being taken off.

The defender returns to Tony Mowbray’s squad with this calf injury which looks set to keep him out for the next three weeks. The centre-back had been in the starting XI for the Rovers' last 15 games, but this will come to an end when Barnsley visit Ewood Park on Saturday.

Speaking to the Lancashire Telegraph ahead of the weekend, Mowbray had this to say: “The negative is that Derrick Williams, on the back of his goal for Ireland, will be two or three weeks.

“That’s a blow to us, we get one back and then lose another one. That’s a frustration.”

Every cloud has a silver lining, however, as recently sidelined and fellow countryman Darragh Lenihan has been declared fit by Mowbray ahead of the Tykes clash.

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The Verdict

Just when it seemed that defensive setbacks were about to turn a corner for Mowbray and Blackburn, they are hit with another blow with Williams missing potentially four to five games in the next three weeks.

Lenihan’s return is a massive boost, though, so it shouldn’t be all doom and gloom for the Rovers who will be keen to get back to winning ways when Barnsley make the trip to Lancashire.