BOSS Mark Hughes has revealed that Andre Ooijer is expected to miss the busy Christmas and New Year period through injury.

The Dutch international defender limped out of last Sunday's Ewood Park match against West Ham with a suspected hamstring injury and subsequent scans have proved this to be the case.

Speaking on Thursday, Hughes confirmed the news: "He pulled up very sharply and it was quite clear that it was a significant injury.

"It has come back and the official term is a grade 2.8 tear, so you are looking that he'll be out for a minimum of four or five weeks I would suggest."

To lose the experienced defender at this time of the season is a blow to the squad, but it allows another player a chance to stake their claim.

"You would like to have the benefit of everybody fit and well," added Hughes. "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.

"So 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."

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