By Rob Parrish Last updated: 24th September 2007
Nelsen: Swift recovery
Blackburn skipper Ryan Nelsen's powers of recovery have given manager Mark Hughes an unexpected headache.
The central defender was expected to face a month on the sidelines after damaging scar tissue from his previous hamstring operation in the Uefa Cup first round first leg defeat by Larissa.
And although the New Zealand international missed the 1-0 defeat by Portsmouth he was out jogging along the touchline prior to the game and could even return for the return European leg against the Greeks on 4th October.
Rovers' following fixture sees them take on Birmingham before a break in the domestic action as the international calendar takes over.
And a fit Nelsen would then be called up for New Zealand's World Cup qualifying double-header with Vanuatu on 13th and 17th October, leading to two long-haul flights, something Hughes is not keen on.
The Rovers boss said: "There are international games coming, and there's nothing you can do.
"But if he's injured then he doesn't make the games. We'll have to have dialogue with them (New Zealand Football) and we'll see what the situation is.
"But travelling halfway around the world might not be the best thing given he has had an episode with his hamstring.
"At least it's not a hamstring strain or pull. It's just scar tissue that has released itself.
"It's initially very sore, but once the pain subsides he should be okay, and hopefully he will be back sooner rather than later.
"Next weekend may be a bit soon for him, but I certainly hope the week after."

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| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Wednesday 10th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 20:00 | Blackburn vs Hull |
| Monday 22nd February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 20:00 | Blackburn vs Bolton |
| Sunday 28th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Liverpool vs Blackburn |
| Saturday 6th March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Blackburn vs Birmingham |
| Saturday 13th March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 12:45 | Tottenham vs Blackburn |
| Sunday 21st March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 16:00 | Blackburn vs Chelsea |
| Sunday 28th March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 12:00 | Burnley vs Blackburn |
| Saturday 3rd April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Portsmouth vs Blackburn |
| Saturday 10th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Blackburn vs Man Utd |
| Saturday 17th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Blackburn vs Everton |
| Saturday 24th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Wolverhampton vs Blackburn |
| Saturday 1st May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Blackburn vs Arsenal |
| Sunday 9th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Aston Villa vs Blackburn |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Saturday 6th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Stoke 3 - 0 Blackburn | |
| Saturday 30th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| West Ham 0 - 0 Blackburn | |
| Wednesday 27th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Blackburn 2 - 1 Wigan | |
| Wednesday 20th January | |
| Carling Cup | |
| Aston Villa 6 - 4 Blackburn | |
| Sunday 17th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Blackburn 2 - 0 Fulham | |
| Thursday 14th January | |
| Carling Cup | |
| Blackburn 0 - 1 Aston Villa | |
| Monday 11th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man City 4 - 1 Blackburn | |
| Saturday 2nd January | |
| The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON | |
| Aston Villa 3 - 1 Blackburn | |
| Monday 28th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Blackburn 2 - 2 Sunderland | |
| Saturday 26th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Wigan 1 - 1 Blackburn | |
| Saturday 19th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Blackburn 0 - 2 Tottenham | |
| Tuesday 15th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Birmingham 2 - 1 Blackburn | |
| Saturday 12th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Hull 0 - 0 Blackburn | |
| Saturday 5th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Blackburn 0 - 0 Liverpool | |
| Wednesday 2nd December | |
| Carling Cup | |
| Blackburn 3 - 3 Chelsea | |
| Saturday 28th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Blackburn 0 - 0 Stoke | |
| Wednesday 25th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Fulham 3 - 0 Blackburn | |
| Sunday 22nd November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Bolton 0 - 2 Blackburn | |
| Saturday 7th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Blackburn 3 - 1 Portsmouth | |
| Saturday 31st October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 2 - 0 Blackburn | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Everton | 24 | 32 |
| 11 | Stoke City | 24 | 30 |
| 12 | Blackburn Rovers | 25 | 28 |
| 13 | Sunderland | 25 | 26 |
| 14 | Wigan Athletic | 24 | 24 |
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