Blackburn Rovers midfielder Steven Reid is expected to be out of action for around four months with a stress fracture of the back.

Reid has been struggling with a back injury for the past month, missing the Euro 2008 qualifiers against Cyprus and the Czech Republic last week as a consequence.

He was sent for scans when the injury failed to respond to treatment, and a more deep-rooted problem has been revealed.

With a recovery timeframe of at least 16 weeks, Reid is almost certain to miss both European Championship meetings against San Marino while he is also a doubt for the March qualifiers against Wales and Slovakia.