Nelsen poised for Rovers return

Blackburn captain Ryan Nelsen is poised to return to the side for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League match with Reading at the Madejski Stadium.

Nelsen has been out for 10 weeks with a scar-tissue injury after surgery in the summer of 2006 to reattach a tendon at the top of his hamstring to the bone. If manager Mark Hughes decides he is fully fit, the centre-back will replace the suspended Christopher Samba following his dismissal in last week’s 3-1 win over Wigan at Ewood Park.

Leading scorer Roque Santa Cruz is doubtful with an ankle knock sustained on international duty with Paraguay, while Brett Emerton will undergo a late fitness test on a groin injury. Midfielder Johann Vogel finally comes into the reckoning after receiving international clearance following his recent move.

Team (from): Friedel, Khizanishvili, Ooijer, Warnock, Bentley, Reid, Dunn, Pedersen, Roberts, Santa Cruz, Derbyshire, McCarthy, Brown, Mokoena, Emerton, Nelsen, Vogel, Tugay.