Blackburn Rovers Football Club News

• Nickname:Rovers
• Founded:1875
• Manager:Steve Kean

• Ground:Ewood Park
• Capacity:31,367

Allardyce relieved for Grella

26 Jan 2009 - 16:27:38

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Blackburn Rovers are confident that midfielder Vince Grella did not suffer a serious injury in the FA Cup fourth round stalemate at Sunderland.

The 29-year-old Australia international was clattered late on in the game by Andy Reid, but the damage to his knee has proved to be no more than bruising.

Manager Sam Allardyce told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph: "It was a poor challenge and the referee didn't even see it.

"We have got three players booked for nothing and he does not even see that one, which is right in front of his nose.

"The lad has had to come off and is injured. I was really, really disappointed.

"He has waited so long to be back, we can see what a good player he is and we are going to need him until the end of the season as much as possible.

"It is a nightmare if he can't be fit and that is always a problem of playing in the FA Cup, losing your key players, Vince is a key player."

Grella has made just seven appearances for Rovers since his arrival from Torino last summer, having suffered a series of niggling injuries.