BLACKBURN defender Chris Samba is unlikely to figure in Thursday night's UEFA Cup tie with the Greek side Larissa after he was knocked unconscious at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

The Congo international suffered a nasty kick to the head during the closing stages of Rovers' 0-0 draw with Chelsea as he bravely tried to thwart Ukrainian striker Andriy Shevchenko.

Samba was out cold for five minutes and after being stretchered off the pitch, he was then taken by ambulance to nearby Charing Cross Hospital, where he underwent a CT scan.

Thankfully, that scan confirmed the 23-year-old had suffered no lasting damage, and he was deemed well enough to fly home with the rest of his team-mates late on Saturday evening.

However, given the nature of the incident, Rovers boss Mark Hughes is likely to heed the advice of his medical staff and leave Samba out of his plans for the trip to Greece this week.

Chairman John Williams said: "Chris is fine. I went to the hospital with him on Saturday evening and there was no problem.

"He was unconscious for a spell but he started to regain consciousness on the way to the hospital and he was later allowed to travel home with the rest of the team.

"The doctors told him he could have a sore head for a few days but otherwise he's fine, which is a big relief."

Hughes was visibly concerned about Samba's condition in the immediate aftermath of Saturday's game, and he was quick to praise the defender for bravely putting his body on the line as Rovers fought tigerishly to keep Chelsea at bay.

"It was an accident," said the Rovers boss.

"Chris has shown great defensive quality just to put his head in that situation. Probably Shevchenko wasn't aware that he was prepared to do that, and that's why he got caught.

"It was a concern at the time. You just want to keep him quiet and relaxed in that situation.

"He was opening his eyes (when we got back to the dressing room), but I don't think he was quite with it."

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho also praised Samba's willingness to put himself in the firing line.

"The boy is a fantastic player. He's a fighter, who gives everything to his team, and I hope he is okay."

Samba's injury marred what was otherwise another hugely satisfying day for Rovers, who are now unbeaten in 15 matches in all competitions, a run stretching back to April, when they were defeated 2-1 by Chelsea in the semi-finals of the FA Cup.