Injuries mean Blackburn 'cannot compete' - Ismael

Blackburn's injury and selection issues mean they are struggling to compete in the Championship, according to head coach Valerien Ismael.

Tuesday night's 3-1 loss at Swansea has dropped Rovers to fourth from bottom in the table and a point for Portsmouth at Watford on Wednesday evening would leave them in the relegation zone.

"It's a difficult situation for us at the moment, not just the game," Ismael told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"The reality for us is we're missing 13 players and on the long run we are feeling it.

"We were competing this season away very well but the line-up looked very different with six or seven other players in the squad."

Ismael gave first senior starts to midfielder Brandon Powell, forward Aodhan Doherty and defender Connor O'Riordan at Swansea while captain Todd Cantwell missed the game through injury.

"At the moment we have more players having rehab than training with us on the pitch - it's a problem for us that we cannot compete," added Ismael.

"Nonetheless, I think for the game the three goals are avoidable, that's why we lost the game, nothing to do with the missing players.

"We just need to make sure we get some players back for Saturday and the week after and then the picture looks completely different but at the minute we are playing with half the academy in our squad (so) it will be difficult."

Blackburn host Watford in the Championship on Saturday, 24 January (15:00 GMT).