Lewis Travis will undergo surgery in the next week after scans revealed damage to his lateral knee ligament.

Travis sustained the injury in the second half of the Carabao Cup defeat at Newcastle United last week, with the win over Wycombe Wanderers the first of several matches he will miss as a result.

The injury is set to keep the 22-year-old midfielder out for much of the remainder of 2020, but Mowbray knows Travis will be pushing to be back as soon as possible.

It’s an injury, although not to the same severity, that he had in June, only missing one game that on occasion, but is more like the one sustained by Lewis Holtby in February which kept him out for around 12 weeks, taking lockdown into consideration.

His injury is a big blow to Rovers who head to Derby County this weekend, where they will also be without Corry Evans who is struggling with a bruised foot, and longer-term concern Bradley Dack.

“He has not had an operation yet but he will be having one pretty soon, in the next four or five days and then his rehabilitation starts,” Mowbray said.

“It is disappointing for us, disappointing for him, but it’s part and parcel of football and we accept it.”

Asked if the injury was similar to that of Holtby, the manager added: “I think so, but Travis is younger than Holtby, let’s hope the timescale is a bit less.

“Trav will be pushing really hard through his rehabilitation.

“I always look at him and see someone who wants to train every day and I think he will be pushing himself pretty hard.”

Sam Gallagher wasn’t listed on Mowbray’s injury list but won’t be part of the travelling party as he looks to overcome a groin problem that has seen him yet to feature in any pre-season, or behind closed doors, matches.

The striker is back in training with Mowbray hopeful of a possible return against Cardiff City next weekend, Rovers’ final league game before the October international break.

“He’s not on my injured list because he’s back on the grass, his first day was Tuesday,” he said.

“But two or three days of training won’t be enough for him to be in the squad.

“Sam will hopefully have a good week of training next week and let’s see if he’ll be ready for Cardiff.”

Daniel Ayala is another who isn't injured but won't be part of the matchday squad.

The central defender believes he is still two or three weeks away from being fit enough to feature, with the international break coming at a good time for the 29-year-old to get up to speed having not played a competitive fixture since New Year's Day.