Vinnie In New Injury Blow

as seen on au.fourfourtwo.com

Vince Grella's frustrating start to his Blackburn career has continued after he suffered a late injury blow in Rovers' 0-0 FA Cup draw at Sunderland on Saturday.

Grella, making just his seventh appearance for Rovers after an injured-ravaged to start to life at Ewood Park, was on the wrong end of a bad Andy Reid tackle in the dying moments of the fourth-round FA Cup clash.

Reid slid into Grella in a strong tackle in the centre of the park which forced the Socceroo to limp off the field and sit out the final minutes of the match.

And while the severity of the blow is not clear at this stage, Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce is crossing his fingers in the hope the injury isn't serious.

The Rovers gaffer, who was disappointed with Reid's tackle, told Sky Sports after the game, "Vince, unfortunately, had to come off injured after a very late challenge late on in the game, which the referee missed, which was very disappointing.

"What is more disappointing is that Vince was unable to carry on and we don't know the extent of that damage.

"That will be the biggest thing that we will regret if he is not fit for Wednesday and Saturday next week."

Allardyce added, "He got studs just below his knee in the tackle and he couldn't carry on. He's waited so long to get back and we see him as a very key player to our situation.

"We don't want to lose him for any games between now and the end of the season."

Grella, a £4 million signing from Torino in August, had almost completed his first full-game for Rovers since the start of November before the incident which will leave him anxiously awaiting further news from the Blackburn medical staff.