LUCAS Neill is confident Stig Inge Bjornebye will come through his latest injury setback.

The Rovers left-back needed an emergency ankle bypass this week after damaging an artery, just as he was on the road to recovery from a serious eye injury he sustained in a freak training ground accident during pre-season.

But fellow defender Neill hopes the Norwegian will make a full recovery and return to the first team before the end of the season.

"He's had a run of bad luck but sometimes that's part and parcel of football - it's just unfortunate it's happened to him later on in his career when he's trying to finish it on a high rather than a low," said Neill.

"It was a strange injury. His foot would turn white and green after training, and even the medical staff were puzzled for a bit. But I'm glad it's been fixed.

"He kept it quiet for a bit but eventually it became a problem. It was noticeable and it was affecting his performances.

"It doesn't bare thinking about for anybody but especially a footballer, because that's your life."

And the Australian, who will be available for Wednesday's Worthington Cup semi-final second leg against Manchester United after his yellow card from the first leg was rescinded, hopes Bjornebye will feature in the first team before the end of the season.

"It's been one thing after another with his eye and now his foot but we're all supporting him and hopefully he can bounce back and get involved with the team again. We would welcome him back," he said.

"No one wants to see his career finish like that. It would have been devastating.

"But his spirits are good. He is one of those people who is always smiling, always happy no matter what. But if he's ever down we all rally round him."

Bjornebye's injury couldn't have happened at a worse time.

Rovers manager Graeme Souness doesn't know how the latest setback will affect his future at Ewood.

"He's had two very unusual operations this year. I've not seen anything like it in my time in football," he said.

"It's been a bad run of luck and a shame for him because he was obviously looking to impress this year as his contract runs out.

"I know it's a very unusual injury but I don't know what the programme for him is now.

"The timing stinks for him."

HENNING Berg has returned to training as he aims to battle back from an Achilles injury. The problem has plagued the central defender since Rovers beat Arsenal at Highbury in October, and threatened to end his playing career.