OUTGOING Aussie Brett Emerton insists Blackburn Rovers have enough leaders in the dressing room to drag the club out of their early Premier League predicament.

The 32-year-old midfielder played his final game for Rovers in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Everton, as he embarks on the final stage of his playing career in his native Australia.

It was a disappointing end to Emerton’s eight-year stay at Ewood Park, the result leaving Steve Kean’s side without a point on the board going into the current international break and already staring down the barrel of a long season ahead.

But the Socceroos star jetted back Down Under yesterday confident that Rovers have the ability and strong characters in the squad to pull clear of trouble.

“Obviously, it's important to get off to a good start in the Premier League and, unfortunately, we haven't managed to do that,” said Emerton.

“As a player, you want to get as many points on the board as early as possible.

“But there's been encouraging signs this week. Chris Samba and Gael Givet are back into the team and we look much more solid at the back.

“Once we've got Ryan Nelsen fully back fit, the team will start to look more solid and a team that is capable of winning league games.”

He added: “But we've got a strong group of characters that will stick together.

“We've got the natural leaders like Ryan, Chris and Gael. They are experienced guys.

“The young boys are not shy in having confidence and belief in their own ability, the likes of Junior Hoilett, Martin Olsson and Steven Nzonzi.

“They have been around for a while now and they're not really young players any more.

“There's been encouraging signs and they'll be okay.”

The first-team return of Chris Samba and Gael Givet to the heart of defence on Saturday helped strengthen Rovers, and they were a whisker away from keeping a clean sheet until Mikel Arteta’s controversial late penalty robbed Blackburn of a precious point.

That solidness at the back, along with a lively attacking display, in which Rovers twice hit the woodwork and missed two penalties, has given Emerton enough belief that, in his absence, the club can now move up the table.

He said: “The important thing is that the boys keep their heads up and take the positives from the game, carrying on the way we did in the second-half, and the points will come in the future.

“When you're having a bad run, everything seems to go against you. That’s football. But I think this week there's been some encouraging performances.

“Sometimes we won't play half as well and get the points. That's the way things go, but the most important thing is to stay positive.”

Emerton added: “You have got to get the balance right, because we do have some very good young talent here. But you do need a few experienced heads out there on the park.

“You've got the likes of Gael and Chris coming back. They have made us a bit more solid and harder to beat.

“That's what the Premier League is all about. You need to start keeping clean sheets.”

Emerton also reserved special praise for young playmaker Mauro Formica, insisting he has ‘come of age’ after taking time to settle into English football.

The Argentine made a big impact coming on as a substitute against Everton, his pace and trickery inside the penalty box leading to both of Blackburn’s spot-kicks.

“He's got that little bit of South American flair where he can make something out of nothing,” said Emerton.

“This year especially, he's shown he is coming of age. I think it took him a little bit to adapt last season, but in pre-season and the chances he has had so far, he's done exceptionally well.”

Read Jason Wilcox's column only in today's Lancashire Telegraph newspaper.