Rovers lose injured Bjornebye

Bjornebye is due to undergo surgery next week

Blackburn defender Stig Inge Bjornebye could miss the start of next season after fracturing an eye socket in a freak training ground accident.

Bjornebye will have an operation next week to repair the damage and may need to have a metal plate attached to his face.

The Norwegian was injured when he was sandwiched between Alan Mahon and Craig Short during training before last night's draw against Newcastle.

"It was a complete accident and he will have an operation once the swelling goes down," manager Graeme Souness told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph.

"But he's going to be missing for a while because it's a nasty one. As things stand he will miss the start of next season."