STEVE Kean insists Ryan Nelsen still has a big part to play in Rovers’ fight against relegation despite being ruled out for the rest of the season.

Blackburn Rovers’ club captain will miss the rest of the campaign after undergoing surgery on a knee injury that forced him off during last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Birmingham City.

Nelsen has been in top form in recent weeks, acting as a steady influence in Rovers’ tense battle against relegation and forming a formidable partnership with skipper Chris Samba in the heart of defence.

Phil Jones or Gael Givet are now likely to deputise for tomorrow’s trip to Everton and beyond but Kean insists Nelsen can still be an influence as Rovers look to beat the drop.

Kean said: “Ryan is going to be out for the season. He has a knee injury that required an operation on Monday.

“It went well, the surgeon is happy with it. It was a clear out of his knee. He had been in a lot of pain but now he should be ready for pre-season.

“It is a big blow because I think anyone who sees the way Ryan plays and the form he is in it at the moment knows it will be a blow.

“Phil Jones can step in there and play with Samba but to lose someone as inspirational as Ryan is going to be a massive negative.

“He is the kind of man the lads look up to. We want to keep him around the place. We will get him on a pair of crutches and in the dressing room because we want to have his voice even if we can't get him on the pitch.”