New Zealand national team captain Ryan Nelsen last night returned to action through the Blackburn Rovers reserves.

The 32-year old defender, who also captains the English Premier League club, has been sidelined for the past six matches with a knee injury but got through a reserves match against Manchester City which ended 0-0.

Nelsen came close to converting a cross from Australian international Brett Emerton but was unable to do so, although the news of him getting through the match is good for both the Rovers, who take on Manchester United this weekend, and the All Whites who are preparing for just their second World Cup campaign in their history.