Blackburn Rovers boss Steve Kean is confident Ryan Nelsen will be fit for the start of the season as the defender continues his comeback from knee surgery during the club's trip to Hong Kong.

Nelsen missed Rovers' successful battle against relegation at the end of last term after going under the knife.

However, Kean is confident the New Zealand international will be ready to face Wolves on August 13, a major boost for the Blackburn boss given he is yet to replace Phil Jones, who left for Manchester United this summer.

"Unfortunately we lost Ryan towards the end of last season, he had quite a major operation on his knee.

"He's taking part in some of the sessions but talking to our medical team, they're confident he'll be fit for the start of the season which is tremendous," said Kean, whose side take on Kitchee in the Barclays Asia Trophy tomorrow night.

"We've got a senior group that's very important to us and I'm confident he'll be fit for the start of the season."