The Admiral wants to carry on New Zealand career

Rovers club captain Ryan Nelsen has ended speculation regarding his international career by declaring that he is fit and still very much able to continue captaining his country.

Nelsen was one of THE players of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa as he captained New Zealand to an undefeated group campaign.

With him being in his 30's and by no means being a spring chicken (Venky's based pun intended) it was expected that Nelsen would consider retirement from international duty to preserve himself for Premier League battle.

This has not been the case.

Nelsen told The Lancashire Telegraph - "I`d just like to finish it on my terms and when I feel that`s being detrimental to Blackburn or vice versa, then I think it will be time to call it quits.

"But at the moment I feel really good, my body feels good and I feel fit. I`m still motivated to play so at the moment the time`s not right. Maybe in six months, a year, two years, I don`t know, that could be completely different.

"I try to keep as fit as I can because I`m not getting any younger but once that starts coming, anything detrimental to Blackburn or to New Zealand, I`ll call it quits."

Nelsen also took time out from training to explain that he feels pressure on his position from all angles, especially now that Grant Hanley and Phil Jones are expected to push him for his centre back spot.

But Nelsen being a true Rover just accepts that it is life as a footballer.

He said: "That`s Sam`s decision. Obviously he has to figure out what`s best for Blackburn and I 100 per cent agree with him.

'If he feels that, that`s something I have to live with."

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