BLACKBURN Rovers manager Mark Hughes was today left reeling by the news that Tugay could be missing for six weeks.

The 34-year-old midfielder suffered knee ligament damage as a result of an accidental clash with Jay Bothroyd during a practice game in training yesterday.

The former Rangers player had a scan last night, which confirmed he had torn his medial knee ligament and the club's medical staff believe it could be February before he's fit to return.

It's the first time Tugay has suffered a serious injury during his Rovers career and it could hardly have come at a worse time given that he had just begun to form a promising partnership with Barry Ferguson.

On top of that, Rovers face a gruelling run of four games in nine days over Christmas and the New Year and Hughes can hardly afford to lose one of his more senior players at the busiest time of the season.

If Tugay is ruled out until February then he could end up missing as many as 10 matches.

The only consolation for Hughes is he does have back up in the shape of David Thompson and Garry Flitcroft, who will both be pressing for a recall ahead of Saturday's game at Crystal Palace.