Nelsen ComebAcK

Blackburn captain Ryan Nelsen is ready to help Rovers' push for Europe after admitting his fears that he thought his season was over.

The Kiwi returns for Saturday's Premier League clash with Reading at the Madejski Stadium after 10 weeks on the sidelines.

After playing through the pain barrier for the majority of the first half of the campaign, Nelsen finally listened to what his body was screaming at him.

His problem stemmed from an operation he required in the summer of 2006 to reattach a hamstring tendon that had been torn off the bone.

The New Zealand centre-back spent six months on the sidelines in rehabilitation before eventually returning in January 2007.

However, a year later, Nelsen decided he could no longer continue as the pain he was feeling was badly affecting his performances.

It took what he describes as "a few medical heads" to diagnose the problem - quite simply he had returned too soon and not adequately strengthened the muscles around the tendon.

"I'm my own worst enemy because after the operation I just wanted to run and train, but I did so far too early and it really cost me," remarked Nelsen.

"I knew something was wrong because I was playing horrendously.

"I just didn't have my explosiveness and the speed I normally have. It just wasn't there, which was extremely frustrating.

"But in wanting to put it right I'd get out there and train and play, but by doing that I was hurting myself even more.

"It reached the point that even when I was walking it was hurting, so I had to put my hand up and say 'this is getting ridiculous'.

"Quite a few medical heads then got together, I had scans, and when a surgeon saw it he told me get off it for four weeks.

"I was basically playing on a tendon I shouldn't have even been walking on.

"My hamstring was pathetic and the tendon was taking all the tension. I was trying to do things when it couldn't handle it.

"At the time, when the surgeon told me how bad it was, I thought I could be out for the season.

"But I got my head down, headed to the weight room to get the muscle strong, and the stronger it has become the less pain I've felt, which seems so simple looking back.

"So I made sure I was comfortable with my strength and that I could handle it before I started to run again.

"Now my lungs are spitting up some cobwebs, but at least the injury is okay."

Full-time: ROVERS 3 WIGAN ATHLETIC 1

BLACKBURN Rovers stole a march on their rivals for an Intertoto place thanks to this hard-fought victory against Wigan Athletic.

Two goals from Roque Santa Cruz, either side of a Jason Roberts strike, earned 10-man Rovers three richly deserved points on an afternoon of drama at Ewood Park.

This was sweet revenge for the 5-3 defeat Rovers suffered when these two sides met at the JJB Stadium in December.

On that day, Santa Cruz bagged a hat-trick but still finished on the losing side.

This time, however, the Paraguayan did pick up a win bonus after scoring two headed goals to lay the foundations for this welcome victory.

The former Bayern Munich ace bagged his first of the afternoon in the 11th minute, when he pounced to score from close range after Chris Kirkland fumbled a long-range drive from the excellent David Bentley.

However, that lead lasted barely five minutes before Wigan were back on level terms, and Rovers were reduced to 10-men.

Chris Samba saw red for denying Emile Heskey a clear goalscoring opportunity, and Marlon King confidently dispatched the resulting penalty.

Unperturbed by that set-back, Rovers continued to look the better side and they regained the lead right on the stroke of half-time, when Roberts turned past a defender and stroked a cool finish under Kirkland.

Rovers then gave themselves further breathing space in the 63rd minute, Bentley sending over a sublime cross for Santa Cruz to power home a header at the far post.

To compund Wigan's frustrations, they were also reduced to 10-men in the closing stages, Wilson Palacios seeing red for a second bookable offence in the 69th minute.

With Aston Villa also losing at home to Sunderland, and Manchester City only drawing at Bolton, it turned out to be an excellent afternoon all round for Mark Hughes' men.

Rovers: Friedel, Ooijer, Khizanishvili, Samba, Warnock, Bentley, Reid, Dunn, Pedersen, Roberts, Santa Cruz. Subs: Tugay (for Roberts, 79),Mokoena (for Dunn, 84), McCarthy (for Santa Cruz, 90) Not used: Derbyshire, Brown Wigan: Kirkland, Melchiot, Boyce, Scharner, Edman, Valencia, Palacios, Brown, Kilbane, King, Heskey. Subs: Taylor (for Edman, 41), Bent (for King, 64) Not used: Aghahowa, Bramble, Pollitt Referee: Mr M Dean (Cheshire)

Wigan will be a tough match - Hughes

MANAGER Mark Hughes is not underestimating the threat Wigan will post at Ewood Park this weekend.

The Latics are unbeaten in their last four games and whilst the Rovers boss fully expects their lowly Lancashire rivals to avoid the drop, he won't be offering any favours when the two sides meet on Saturday afternoon.

"They are a good team," said Hughes. "They have turned their season around and are going in the right direction, so it will be difficult for us.

"Obviously they aren't out of the relegation mix as yet, but I fully expect them to be safe in the coming weeks - but obviously following our match at the weekend.

The Rovers manager has also been very impressed with the job former Manchester United team-mate Steve Bruce has done at the JJB Stadium since taking the reins in November.

"He's done very well. They have got on a run of form and they've quickly found themselves away from the bottom reaches of the Premier League.

"It is important that when a new manager comes in that they have a positive effect as quickly as possible.

"More often than not it does happen and the key is to try to maintain that right to the end of the next period of games and hopefully you carry that on into the seasons that follow.

"Certainly Wigan are going in the right direction and they seem to have an energy and a physical presence to their play at the moment and that is helping them."

New Man In Rovers Shirt!!!

Switzerland international Johann Vogel is determined to make an impact in the Premier League after signing a permanent deal with Blackburn.

Vogel has played at the highest level in Europe with Real Betis, AC Milan, and PSV Eindhoven among his previous clubs.

The 31-year-old defensive midfielder, who captained Switzerland at the 2006 World Cup, was a free agent after being released from Betis after a legal dispute with the club.

Subject to international clearance, Vogel has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with the option of a further year.

Vogel told the club's official website: "I'm very happy the deal is done. I've had two weeks training with the squad and they have made a good impression. I was very impressed with the quality of the squad.

"It has always been an objective of mine to play in England, I can't wait to get started. If I am given my chance to play then I will do my best. If the manager thinks I'm ready then I will grab my chance."

New sponsoR for next sEason!!!

Blackburn have announced that Crown Paints will be their new sponsors after striking a multi-million deal with the company.

Blackburn: Have new sponsor

The three-year contract, which begins next season, is worth between £4-5million, depending on the team's performance.

Blackburn chairman John Williams said: "This deal gives us the opportunity to work with a major national brand with the added benefit of a strong local connection.

"We were looking for a long-term relationship with our new sponsor and this agreement forms part of a broader communications strategy for both of us."

Crown Paints managing director Howard Luft said: "A large part of our Darwen workforce are Rovers supporters and I know they will be delighted with this announcement."

Taken From..Teamtalk.com..visit Teamtalk.com for more info..

Derbyshire celebrates fatherhood with a goal

NEW dad Matt Derbyshire smashed a dramatic last minute winner against Newcastle United at the weekend - and then dedicated it to his new baby sons.

The 21-year-old striker celebrated the safe arrival of twins Callum and Braidin, who were born last Wednesday, in fine style at St James' Park, scoring the only goal of the game in the 90th minute to deliver Rovers' first Premier League double of the Magpies.

That completed an amazing few days for the Rovers striker, who wasn't expecting to play against United until he got a late call from manager Mark Hughes.

A delighted Derbyshire said: "It's been a great week. I've become the father of two beautiful children, Braidin and Callum, and I scored the goal which got us the three points.

"I've wanted to celebrate the arrival of the twins for a couple of days and what a perfect way to do it.

"I wondered whether I was going to be able to play, to be honest, because my partner Melissa was in labour for such a long time.

"But I had a day off on Thursday and then spoke to Eddie Niedzwiecki and the gaffer, and they said come in on Friday ready to travel, so I was there, ready for it.

"And I'm delighted I got the goal."

Overjoyed at becoming a father for the first time, Derbyshire raced to the Rovers fans packed into the away end at St James' and performed a baby-rocking celebration, together with the rest of his team-mates, following his stunning late winner.

"It's been a real rollercoaster few days," he admitted.

"It's difficult, to be fair, because you feel as if you've been thrown in at the deep end, not really knowing what to do.

"But then everything else takes over."

As for the win - Rovers' third at St James' in as many years - Derbyshire said: "It's a great result, especially off the back of another good result against Bolton.

"The lads fought hard and we had to battle in midfield. It was difficult at times and we had to soak up some pressure, hoping we could then hit them on the break.

"We've just got to keep picking points up now and keep pushing up the table.

"If we keep picking up the points at home then there's no reason why we can't push for that European spot."

Four of Derbyshire's six goals this season have now come when he has entered the fray as a substitute, yet the striker insists he does not want to be dubbed a supersub'.

"I don't want to be branded a supersub because I think I'm a bit more than that," he said.

"I think it's just a case of being in the right place at the right time, coming off the bench.

"The gaffer knows when to put me on, and when he thinks I'm ready to start a game.

"I never bother him like that, unless it's a case of not playing at all, then I might go in and see him.

"It can be a bit frustrating (when you are not in the team) but what can you say when you've got strikers like we have at the club playing ahead of you, particularly when they are doing well and scoring goals?

"At the moment, I can't really complain."

Derbyshire's latest heroics are all the more remarkable when you consider he is playing with a double hernia that requires surgery at the end of the season.

He added: "It's causing me a few problems. It isn't the best and it's going to be quite sore between now and the end of the season.

"But I've just got to keep getting rid of the pain, have a few massages, and try to carry on.

"I do feel it during games and I can't really sprint that quickly off the mark.

"But don't tell the gaffer, otherwise he won't bring me off the bench!"

Rovers Super-SUB lead to another victory!!!