Ryan Nelsen Claims Award Again

Injured Blackburn Rovers defender Ryan Nelsen has been crowned the New Zealand International Men's Player of the Year for a second successive year.

The Admiral claimed the Award for the second year running at New Zealand Soccer's Annual Dinner in Auckland on Sunday.

With the Admiral due to return from injury for club and country in January speaking via a telephone link-up Nelsen said:

"It's been frustrating because I broke my leg and had this hamstring problem.

"But I've made peace with it and I'm determined to come back stronger, bigger and faster.

"I'm way ahead of schedule but I have to wait 16 weeks [after the operation] before I can play. I'm doing pretty much everything in training, running, working with the ball. It's just the real sprint stuff, but I'm pretty close."

All very encouraging things coming from the Admiral who will be back sooner rather than later all being well.

Meanwhile skysports.com are reporting that Cypriot striker Yannis Okkas, due to undergo a trial with Rovers in December is attracting interest from a host of other clubs, many of which are Premiership rivals.

With the Premiership said to be his preferred destination Bolton Wanderers, Charlton Athletic, Manchester City and Newcastle United are also reportedly interested whilst Spanish sides Real Sociedad and Racing Santander are also keen.

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