Blackburn Rovers Football Club News

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

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Nelsen set for contract offer

14 Aug 2006 - 14:35:52

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Blackburn Rovers chairman John Williams is confident commanding defender Ryan Nelsen will agree to sign a new contract to extend his stay at Ewood Park.

Rovers have rejected three bids from Portsmouth for the New Zealand international since the end of last season, but Pompey manager Harry Redknapp has shown no sign of admitting defeat in his efforts to land Nelsen.

Williams believes the 28-year-old's preference is to remain at Blackburn and is now prepared to offer him a financial package designed to ensure he is not tempted to look elsewhere.

"Despite the fact Ryan already has a contract which still has a substantial period to run, we are in the process of offering him a new one and some progress has been made," Williams told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph.

"If we're going to turn down decent money for him, which we have done, then the emphasis is on us to improve his present deal.

"We believe that's the right and honourable thing to do, so hopefully we'll be in a position to announce something shortly."

Nelsen joined Blackburn from DC United on a free transfer in January 2005 and has since made 46 Premiership appearances for the club.