Blackburn Rovers midfielder Bradley Dack is set to undergo knee surgery for the second time in the last 15 months and the process of his rehabilitation is expected to keep him out of action until at least the end of 2021.

Dack had only just been starting to re-find his best form and rebuild his competitive match fitness over the last few months following his return to action after a year on the sidelines. That came after he suffered an ACL injury to his right knee against Wigan Athletic in December 2019. The 27-year-old had managed to score three goals in 16 Championship appearances since his return (Sofascore).

However, during the 1-0 defeat at home to Brentford, Dack suffered the same injury to his left knee this time, with a scan revealing it was indeed another ACL injury. His contract would have been due to expire in the summer, but he recently signed a new deal that will keep him at Ewood Park until 2023, so he will at least be with the club through his rehabilitation process.

Dack reported to a surgeon last week and the decision was made to allow the swelling to go down on the injury before he will undergo surgery on his knee. The process will then be underway in terms of his recovery and it is believed that he will likely now miss the rest of 2021 at the very least, according to the Lancashire Telegraph.

The verdict

Suffering such another serious injury so soon after his return will be a major blow for Dack and for Blackburn and the club will now have to take a great deal of care with his recovery. That is of course what they did last time and it will be no different this time around which makes it another lengthy lay-off.

Dack has shown great mental strength to come through that first serious knee injury and he will be able to do so again this time around. The fact that he signed a new deal will provide him with some security as well and he will have an aim to reach for in terms of getting back and available for the second half of next term.

It would have been expected that Dack would be out of action for at least the next six or seven months, and Rovers might need to consider how they are going to replace his presence in the summer transfer window. That will be no straightforward task but it is one they need to get right if they are to kick on again next campaign.