"A bit of a shame" - Fresh reaction given to Blackburn Rovers blow - Valerien Ismael told to take action | OneFootball

FLW's Blackburn Rovers fan pundit has given his verdict on whether the club need to enter the transfer market following an injury to Balazs Toth.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Blackburn Rovers have been dealt a huge blow with the news that goalkeeper Balazs Toth is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Toth initially struggled to displace Aynsley Pears after joining Blackburn from Hungarian side Fehervar last summer, but he was handed an opportunity by head coach Valerien Ismael towards the back end of last season, and his introduction to the team coincided with a strong run of form for the Lancashire outfit that almost saw them sneak into the Championship play-off places.

Ismael kept faith with Toth at the start of this season, and as well as cementing his place as Rovers' first choice shot-stopper, he has also nailed down his spot in the Hungary national team, starting each of his country's last three World Cup qualification games.

Toth had kept four clean sheets in his first 13 appearances of the season for Blackburn, but he was forced off in the closing stages of his side's 1-0 victory over Bristol City at Ashton Gate on Tuesday night with a knee injury.

Rovers' worst fears about Toth's injury were realised when Ismael confirmed that he will require surgery and is set to be out for up to 12 weeks, and Pears returned to the starting line-up for the 2-1 defeat to Derby County at Ewood Park on Saturday.

Highly-rated young goalkeeper Nick Michalski, who is reportedly the subject of a tug of war between England and Poland over his international future, was named on the bench for the game, while Blackburn also have Felix Goddard on their books, but Toth's injury has sparked a debate about whether reinforcements between the sticks are needed.

Aynsley Pears given Blackburn Rovers backing as Valerien Ismael sent transfer demand

When asked if he has faith in Pears to cover for Toth during his absence, FLW's Blackburn Rovers fan pundit Simon Middlehurst insisted he is confident in the 27-year-old's ability, but he urged Ismael to bring in an experienced back-up goalkeeper in January.

"It was a bit of a shame," Simon told FLW.

"Toth has become our number one keeper, and he's forced himself into the Hungary squad and the Hungary starting XI as well, so it was a bit of a kicker.

"Saying that though, Aynsley Pears has proven in the past that he can be a reliable keeper, so it probably would be worth maybe signing a back-up keeper just in case.

"We do have a number of young keepers at the minute, but they are lacking a lot of experience.

"Nick Michalski is in the England Under-19 squad as well, so he's maybe one for the future, but we potentially do need a bit of experience to back Pears up."

Toth was really beginning to establish himself as Blackburn's number one goalkeeper, so the timing of his injury is hugely frustrating for all concerned, particularly as it came during an excellent run of form for Ismael's men.

While it is a big blow for Rovers to lose Toth, they do at least have a more than capable option to replace him in Pears, who spent much of last season as first choice during the club's play-off push and will certainly be a safe pair of hands for the next few months.

With Pears likely to deputise for Toth for the duration of his absence, it may be tough for Ismael to convince an experienced goalkeeper to join in January, especially as they will likely be third choice once the Hungary international returns to fitness, but it could be a risk to rely on Michalski as back-up at this early stage of his career.