Nelsen can head home - Kean

28 February 2011 13:00
Blackburn boss Steve Kean is willing to allow club captain Ryan Nelsen time off to return to his devastated home city of Christchurch this week. The 33-year-old New Zealander did not request any leave after the earthquake which hit the city last week but spoke of the emotional difficulty of training on. The defender then played in Rovers' Barclays Premier League loss at Aston Villa on Saturday but his sending-off in the game means he will be suspended for this weekend's trip to Fulham. Kean told the club's official website: "It has been a really tough week for Ryan, obviously, with all the commotion back home. "He has shown total professionalism. He's trained every day and really wanted to play. I've already said to Ryan that if he wants to go back to let me know. "The good thing for him is that all of his family are okay. He's on the phone to them supporting them through this difficult time."

Source: PA