Blackburn Rovers defender Ryan Nelsen has won the supreme men's award for the second successive year at New Zealand Soccer's annual dinner in Auckland.
Nelsen was named Nike International Men's Player of the Year after helping Rovers qualify for the UEFA Cup last season.
As he acknowledged his award via telephone, he revealed his recover plans are going to plan.
And he has vowed to come back stronger, bigger and faster than ever.
"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."
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