Blackburn Rovers defender Ryan Nelsen can return home to visit earthquake-hit New Zealand

Ryan Nelsen of Blackburn(Getty Images)

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Blackburn Rovers manager Steve Kean will allow Ryan Nelsen to return to New Zealand this week if the defender wants to visit his family after the country suffered a terrible earthquake.

Nelsen will miss next weekend’s match against Fulham anyway after being sent off against Aston Villa and Kean revealed he had already discussed the defender flying home.

“I’ve already said to Ryan that if he wants to go back to let me know,” he told the club’s official website.

“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.”

Nelsen’s red card capped a tough week for the New Zealand international but Kean was quick to praise the commitment shown by his captain in tough conditions.

“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.

“So the sending off rounded off a bad week for him, but his general play and the manner in which he has conducted himself and trained has been tremendous.”

Being without Nelsen will be tough for Rovers but there was some positive news for Kean around fellow central defender Chris Samba ahead of the trip to Fulham.

“Fortunately for us we’ll have Chris back next weekend as he missed the match against Aston Villa with a virus.

“The doctor tells us he’s making good progress.”