Zurab To Fight For Place

Zurab Khizanishvili has spoken out that he is ready to battle with Ryan Nelsen and Chris Samba for a regular spot next season.

The 26-year-old Georgian international captain has struggled for a extended run in the Rovers first-team in the 2007/08 season as he was mainly used to fill in at centre-back when Ryan Nelsen or Chris Samba were ruled out or suspended and occasionally at the problem right back spot.

However, while fellow Rovers defender Andre Ooijer has recently stated his discomfort at not playing regularly in the season just finished, The Monk says he is aiming to step up to the plate and prove to Hughes he is worthy of a place in the starting XI.

With Nelsen set to miss the start of next season due to his expected involvement at the 2008 summer Olympics, Zurab's opportunity could come more or less straight away.

Zurab told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph: 'We've got some good quality defenders, our captain Ryan Nelsen, Samba and Ooijer. And I also play centre-half.

'I'm looking forward to going back fresh after the summer and fighting for a place.

'I can also play in different positions, which can make things a little easier for the manager.'

This IS the kind of talk we want to here isn't it guys? Especially coming from Blackburn Rovers' most underrated player.