INSPIRATIONAL striker Francis Jeffers has returned to Blackburn Rovers after being ruled out for up to six weeks with a hamstring tear.The on loan forward was injured in the 2-0 loss to Southend on Saturday and limped out after 26 minutes with the injury leaving manager Jim Magilton today searching for a replacement.

By Derek Davis

INSPIRATIONAL striker Francis Jeffers has returned to Blackburn Rovers after being ruled out for up to six weeks with a hamstring tear.

The on loan forward was injured in the 2-0 loss to Southend on Saturday and limped out after 26 minutes with the injury leaving manager Jim Magilton today searching for a replacement.

Magilton said: “It looks like a tear and so Frannie will be out for five or six weeks so we have lost his services. It gives someone else an opportunity to come in and play, although we will try to bring in another loan striker.”

The Blues boss saved his severest criticism in the wake of the shocking home defeat by Southend for Alan Lee, who will serve his third suspension of the season tomorrow night at Preston after being sent off against the Shrimpers.

Magilton said: “Alan is one of our most senior players, yet he was naïve and it was idiotic. The referee had no choice but to send him off. In the heat of battle you have to contain your emotions, but when we needed him the most he let us down.

“I know he was upset that the referee missed the penalty which I felt should have been given, but then Alan should have got his shot away earlier.

“Instead they go up the other end and score even though we felt Efe Sodje was offside.”