Blackburn Rovers boss Paul Ince has agreed to release Ryan Nelsen for New Zealand's Olympics campaign.

"It's great news," coach Stu Jacobs told New Zealand soccer's official website. "We've got one of the world's best defenders lining up for us in two crucial matches.

"The reality is that the club didn't have to release the player so Blackburn have really come to the party.

"They've got a new manager in Paul Ince who hasn't even met his captain yet but he said he knew Ryan was desperate to play and given the magnitude of the Olympic Games he was more than happy to help out where he could."