Hughes hopes for skipper's return
by Dan Quarrell, 26 March 2008
Blackburn Rovers manager Mark Hughes is keen to see his captain Ryan Nelson return from injury as soon as possible to give his side a boost ahead of their run-in.
The New Zealand international defender is nearing his first-team comeback after two months out with a persistent hamstring injury.
The injury has hampered the 30-year-old Kiwi’s performances this season after he first encountered the problem back in September.
Hughes said: “We hope he can draw a line under it. Ryan will have to come to terms with it on occasions. He will have a bit of discomfort. When he comes back, we all expect his form to be very good because he’s fit and well now."
Nelson attempted unsuccessfully to play through the injury but his manager is now hoping he is fully recovered.
“He’s such a genuine guy,” his boss told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph. “In his own mind, he wanted to make sure he was helping the side but in the end, the injury was compromising him too much.
“But he understands that now, when you have really significant injuries, there’s always a price to pay,” Hughes said.