ROVERS striker Matt Jansen returned to England last night and immediately promised fans: "I'll be fit and ready for the start of the season."

Jansen spent eight days in a Rome hospital after an accident a week last Sunday and he has been grateful for the goodwill messages from team-mates and supporters alike.

"It has been a bit of a tough time since the accident and to be honest I am just glad to be home," he said.

"I have to say the support I have had from the club has been phenomenal and I am very grateful.

"Graeme Souness has spoken to me many times and the medical team of Phil Batty and Dave Fevre have also been in touch.

"I will be seeing them this week and getting checked out.

"I would also like to thank the fans for their messages of support and best wishes, it means a lot to me.

"The main thing is that I feel fine and I just want to get on with playing the best football I can for Rovers.

"I am looking forward to getting back in to action and I will be giving 110 per cent to get back to full fitness."

The 24-year-old needed stitches to a head wound and cut both hands.

It is believed he was on a motorbike which collided with a taxi although he said he could not discuss the details of the accident for legal reasons.

His memory of the incident is still hazy.

The matter has been investigated by the police and Jansen will have to give evidence.

But his first concern is to see whether he is up to flying to Canada for his brother's wedding at the weekend.

Having been confined to hospital bed all last week he has been following the World Cup closely and is delighted with the performances of two of his Ewood Park colleagues, Damien Duff for the Republic of Ireland and USA's Brad Friedel.

"Duffer and Brad have been fantastic, two of the stars of the tournament, and I just hope that continues," he said.