Blackburn Rovers January transfer gamble has been a complete failure: View | OneFootball

Blackburn Rovers suffered yet another blow to their Championship survival hopes heading into the final two months of the season.

Lacking options anyway due to multiple players being on the sidelines, Rovers have now lost experienced midfielder John Fleck for the rest of the season - and he may have played his last match for them as he only penned a deal for the remainder of the campaign.

It leaves manager John Eustace short of midfield options, with the Lancashire club precariously placed in the table ahead of a tough run of fixtures from now until May.

Blackburn Rovers provide John Fleck injury update

It was confirmed on Monday that midfielder Fleck would miss the rest of the Championship season after sustaining a shin injury in Rovers' Lancashire derby draw against Preston North End.

The 32-year-old played just 17 minutes at Deepdale in what was his full debut since his February 1 arrival, where he had joined on a free from Sheffield United until the end of the season.

The injury prematurely ended his involvement, and Fleck is now expected to undergo an operation to correct the issue, with the injury itself happening two-and-a-half weeks ago.

His arrival at Ewood Park was to bring in experience to the relegation-threatened side, and that is something head coach John Eustace believes will be a massive loss for his side heading into the final two months of the campaign.

"To lose him for the rest of the season is going to be a real shame," Eustace told the club website.

"The first 15 minutes against Preston, I think his experience was there for all to see, and I thought the way we started the game with him in there was exceptional.

"He's going to be a big loss because him and Kyle (McFadzean) have come in to help us. I spoke to Flecky, and he can't wait to get around the lads and help off the pitch."

Fleck appeared to be in good spirits on Monday evening after returning to Bramall Lane to say goodbye to the Blades fans where he spent eight years as a player prior to his former side's 6-0 defeat to title-chasing Arsenal, but he would much rather be on the pitch after a season of struggle.

John Fleck's injury worsens Blackburn Rovers midfield options

Fleck's injury could prove to be a bitter blow to Rovers' survival hopes in the coming months, which were made even worse by allowing Adam Wharton to leave Ewood Park for Premier League Crystal Palace in January and no money being allowed in the budget for a real replacement.

Despite receiving a reported initial £18 million for the young midfielder, Blackburn were unable to go into the market and search for a replacement, with owner's Venky's blocking any of the transfer fees being spent.

There was no other choice but for the recruitment team to delve into the free agent market instead due to the uncertain financial circumstances surrounding the club, and it led to a deal being struck with Sheffield United to get Fleck to terminate his contract and move to Ewood Park.

The Scotsman's injury now leaves Eustace short of midfield options heading into the final part of the season, with the club also allowing Lewis Travis to leave on loan to Ipswich Town early on in the January window.

Eustace also has to contend with the injury of Sondre Tronstad keeping him out of action, so Fleck succumbing to his shin issue is the last thing anyone at Rovers needed.

When looking at the statistics of Wharton compared to Rovers' other midfield options, it confirms the magnitude of the player they allowed to leave.

While receiving a hefty transfer fee for the midfielder, not reinvesting it in the squad could cost the Lancashire club a lot more money in the long run.

The decision - albeit unfortunate for Rovers - could eventually cost them their Championship status at the end of the season, with the East Lancashire outfit in a poor run of form right now and without the goals of Sammie Szmodics, they could already be in the bottom three.