Nelsen lifted by knee scan

Blackburn Rovers defender Ryan Nelsen has revealed his relief after discovering that a knee injury will not end his World Cup dream.

The New Zealand captain feared for his place in the squad for South Africa after limping out of Sunday's 3-0 Premier League victory over Bolton Wanderers.

Speaking immediately after the match, Rovers boss Sam Allardyce admitted he feared the worst for the 32-year-old centre-half.

However, Nelsen is expected to be back in action for the Ewood Park outfit in four to six weeks after scans revealed a tear to a minor muscle behind the knee.

"It's probably the best result I could have got," he explained.

"In the great scheme of things it's not too bad. It certainly could have been worse."

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