Nelsen backing Roque to shine at Rovers

Blackburn skipper Ryan Nelsen believes new signing Roque Santa Cruz can take the Premier League by storm.

The Paraguay striker has joined Rovers from Bayern Munich and Nelsen has been hugely impressed by the 25-year-old.

Nelsen said: "I'm just happy when he is on my team in training because he is a pain in the neck to tell the truth.

"He's so bloody good, he's big, he's quick and he's skilful. He has been a great signing.

"He's a really nice guy, he works hard and he's just what a Blackburn player should be.

"I don't want to put extra pressure on him but he's an extremely good player and I'm sure he will prove to be very successful in the Premier League."

Blackburn kick off their new season at Middlesbrough on Saturday but midfielder Steven Reid has suffered another setback on his return from a lengthy injury lay-off.

Reid missed all of last season, initially with a stress fracture of his back and then a cruciate knee ligament injury, and has now suffered a hamstring strain in training.

Blackburn manager Mark Hughes said: "We hope it is not too serious but it will set him back a couple of weeks."

Meanwhile, striker Francis Jeffers has completed a move to Sheffield Wednesday and signed a three-year deal.

Hughes added: "Francis needed to go somewhere to start playing week in, week out. I'm sure he will be a great success at Sheffield Wednesday because he is a quality player."