ROVERS skipper Ryan Nelsen is heading home from the Olympics in time for the club’s Premier League opener at Everton on Saturday.

The Kiwi centre-half had been in Beijing, playing twice for the Oly-Whites, in their 1-1 draw with the hosts China and their 5-0 pummelling at the hands of the Brazilians.

Nelsen had an agreement that he would just play the two games but the 30-year-old had a change of heart and wanted to stay on for the final group game against Belgium.

He was quoted on Sunday in the New Zealand press as saying: “I've left a message for Paul Ince but I haven't heard back yet.

“I am going to try to stay, I really want to help these guys and I'd like to get through (to the second round) myself.

"But Blackburn have been very understanding."

But Nelsen will not now play tomorrow after failing to get an answer from Ince.

New Zealand face Belgium in a game if the Kiwis win would see them through to the second round.