TAKE That's comeback single Patience' could have been written for Blackburn Rovers midfielder Aaron Mokoena.

After an encouraging debut season in the Premiership, Mokoena was surprised to find himself on the outside looking in for most of last season as he struggled to command a regular place in Mark Hughes' starting line-up.

But, instead of knocking on the manager's door and bemoaning his lack of first team opportunities, the South African international opted instead to roll his sleeves up, and now he's set to be rewarded with a bumper new contract.

For Mokoena, patience has indeed paid off, and Rovers' Mr Versatile' puts his resurgence firmly down to the motivating qualities of his manager.

Mokoena said: "I never once thought of leaving England or the Premier League.

"As a player, when you don't play, obviously you have a lot of thoughts in your mind.

"But I love being here, and I love working together with the players that we have.

"This is my second home and I wanted to be loyal to Blackburn.

"Obviously, when you're not playing it does weigh on your mind, but Mark Hughes always managed to motivate me.

"He often said to me you're not the type of player I can afford to let go. I have plans for you and I want you in my team, so there's no way I'm going to let you go.' "He didn't say that once or twice, he said it several times, and that changed everything.

"I really felt like I was welcome at Blackburn, and this is where I feel I belong."

Mokoena's versatility and his willingness to work were key factors in Hughes offering him a new three-year deal, which he was expected to sign today.

Injuries have robbed the Rovers boss of several key players this term, but Mokoena has always been ready to step into the breach.

"Aaron has been a great player for me since I brought him here," said Hughes.

"He gives me great versatility, he's got a great attitude to his work on a day-to-day basis, and he has a really important role here."

With Tugay suspended and Zurab Khizanishvili nursing a groin injury, Mokoena may well get the call to arms again tomorrow for the visit of Fulham in a match that Rovers desperately need to win.

A run of six games without a victory in the league has seen Hughes' side slide into the Premier League's bottom five.

While no-one is pressing the panic button at Ewood just yet, Mokoena and his team-mates know they must start winning sooner rather than later.

Tomorrow's clash with Fulham is the first of eight games in the month of December - a punishing schedule which could make or break Rovers' season.

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