ROVERS striker Matt Jansen was due to leave a Rome hospital today, eight days after being involved in a road accident.

And England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson took time out from preparing England for Wednesday's World Cup clash with Nigeria to send the player a get well soon message.

"I am very sorry to hear that," he said at the weekend after being informed about the accident. "I hope he will be OK and ready for the start of the new season."

The 24-year-old star is due to fly back to England tomorrow and he still hopes to make it to Canada for his brother's wedding on Saturday.

"Matt is alright," said his agent Jay Bevington. "He is due out of hospital today and then he will have 24 hours in a hotel in Rome before, hopefully, coming home tomorrow.

"He just can't wait to have a proper bath, a proper sleep and a decent meal.

"We will take medical advice later this week before making a decision about whether he will be able to go to Canada for the wedding at the weekend, although, obviously, he wants to go."

Reports have said that Jansen was riding a motorbike which collided with a taxi.

Bevington explained that for legal reasons he was unable to go into full details about the crash a week last Sunday.

But he confirmed: "It was a motor vehicle accident that involved a taxi in central Rome. There is not a lot else we can say.

"Matt suffered a small head injury. He needed four stitches to his right eye and there was a bit of a cut on his hands but there was no fracture and no serious injury.

"He was concussed but he has been sleeping OK and has had no problems with his breathing.

"The reason he has been in hospital is simply precautionary because of the fact that he is a footballer. The British Embassy has been involved as well and the hospital has been determined to do the right thing."

Jansen had dreamed of being involved in England's World Cup challenge but he was forced to watch England's victory over in Argentina from his hospital bed in Rome.

Eriksson is known to have been very close to including Jansen in his 23-man squad, opting for experienced defender Martin Keown at the last minute.

Bevington added: "Matt has been watching most of the games and he enjoyed England v Argentina, although the hospital staff were not too happy about the Italy v Croatia match."

Rovers fan Simon Leigh, who writes the Rover All View column for the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, spoke for all the Ewood Park faithful as he said: "I give the very best wishes to Matt for a complete and speedy recovery.

"Here's hoping that when the opening day of the season comes round he will be able to carry on in the fine form he finished the last one."