Rovers ace returns injured

Vince Grella is racing to be fit for Blackburn's clash with Arsenal next week after a calf injury ruled him out of the Australia squad.

The 28-year-old midfielder, who joined Rovers from Italian outfit Torino at the back end of the transfer window in August, has been struggling with the problem since last week's 4-1 defeat at West Ham when he was substituted at half time.

Grella, who was seen on crutches ahead of the Socceroos 2-1 friendly international win against Holland in Eindhoven, has now been sent back to Ewood Park after being ruled out of his country's World Cup qualifier against Uzbekistan on Wednesday.

Australia coach Pim Verbeek feels Grella's injury is not serious but felt it would not have been in his best interests to keep him with the squad this week. Therefore he is back at Blackburn for further treatment and aiming to be fit in time to face the Gunners on Saturday.