Exclusive: Sky Sports pundit sends Blackburn Rovers warning amid Hyam and Travis exit threats | OneFootball

Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie has responded to the news of Blackburn's situation involving Lewis Travis and Dom Hyam

Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie believes that losing both Lewis Travis and Dom Hyam would be a "real blow" to the club amid uncertainty around both players' future.

Blackburn Rovers would have hoped for a better opening to the season, having been defeated 1-0 in their first Championship game of the new campaign away at West Brom, and then losing out at home to Bradford City in the League Cup courtesy of two early goals from the Bantams.

Amidst both defeats, however, are rumblings from behind the scenes revolving around the uncertainty of two key Rovers players, namely captain Lewis Travis and Scottish defender Dom Hyam.

Both Travis and Hyam started in Blackburn's defeat at the Hawthorns on the opening day; however, neither featured in their loss to Bradford on Tuesday.

Derby County have made their interest in Travis clear, with former Rovers manager John Eustace keen to link back up with the 27-year-old at Pride Park, launching a £1.5 million bid plus add-ons for the midfielder on Tuesday, which was rejected by Blackburn.

It was reported not long after by Elliot Jackson via X that Travis told Rovers that he wanted to depart for Derby, with the Rams set to offer him life-changing terms to make the switch from Lancashire to Derbyshire.

Both Travis and Hyam are out of contract this summer, with the latter's contract situation up in the air, with no deal having yet been agreed between player and club.

Lee Hendrie reacts to Blackburn's crisis

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Hendrie claimed that losing both experienced Travis and Hyam this window would be a huge blow to the club.

"I think losing both of these players, Dom Hyam and Lewis Travis, would be a real, real blow for Blackburn," said Hendrie.

"Again we get to this stage of the season where I think most managers want the window shut and to know what they are dealing with for the rest of the season.

"It's not looking good if they do get rid of these two players, Dom Hyam, obviously experienced, Lewis Travis as well, young and experienced, and very good players.

"So you start taking them two out of the equation, there has to be an immediate replacement if this is to happen."

Losing both Travis and Hyam could be detrimental to Blackburn's prospects this season

Hyam played every single minute of Blackburn's Championship campaign last season, whilst Travis played the third most minutes, narrowly behind goalkeeper Aynsley Pears.

Losing both Hyam and Travis would not only severely weaken Rovers' side in terms of quality, but taking away two of their most-used outfield players from last season could have a cataclysmic effect on the side.

With Blackburn having already gotten off to a poor start to the season, manager Valerien Ismael will be keen to keep both players if possible and settle his squad down for what will be another tricky campaign.

Should both players leave, Rovers may have to dive back into the market in search of replacements, though replacing the quality and leadership both players possess will no doubt be a tricky, if not impossible, task for the French manager.