BLACKBURN boss Mark Hughes will open talks with Ryan Nelsen about a new contract in the summer.

The New Zealand international has been a revelation since he joined Blackburn on a free transfer in January and Hughes is ready to rip up his existing deal and offer him a new, improved long-term contract as a reward for some brilliant performances.

But Rovers must first obtain a work permit for the impressive Kiwi, who is currently playing in England under the holiday visa scheme.

At the moment, Nelsen doesn't qualify for a work permit automatically because New Zealand are not ranked in Fifa's top 70 countries in the world, but Rovers still managed to exploit a loophole in the rules by signing the 27-year-old under the holiday visa programme.

However, that scheme only entitles Nelsen to play in England for a maximum of 18 months so the club will apply for a work permit in the summer on the basis the former DC United defender has now proved he is good enough to play in the Premiership.

That decision is likely to go to an appeal but assuming the Home Office rule in Rovers' favour then Hughes will open talks with Nelsen about a new deal as his current one runs out at the end of next season.

Rovers' chief executive John Williams said: "Ryan has done an excellent job for us and that is something we would be keen on talking about at the end of this season."

Rovers' defensive record has improved significantly since Nelsen joined the club three months ago.

In the 12 games the Kiwi has played for Rovers during that period, goalkeeper Brad Friedel has conceded just four goals and Mark Hughes recently underlined the faith he has in him by making him captain for the FA Cup tie against Burnley.