Soccer: Nelsen targets Premier League return

All Whites captain Ryan Nelsen’s recovery from a knee injury is progressing well. Photo / Mark Mitchell

The All Whites have received some good news from England with captain Ryan Nelson on track for a return to the Premier league within the next two weeks.

That will be music to the ears of coach Ricki Herbert, who is desperate for his star defender to be fit for the World Cup in June.

New Zealand fans feared the worst when Nelsen left the field with a knee injury last month when playing for Blackburn against Bolton Wanderers. The injury was not as serious as first feared and Nelsen says it will be 100 per cent ready when he next takes the field.

Nelsen is hoping to play in the derby match against Burnley on March 28.

Meanwhile, Nelsen has been following the Phoenix's run in the A-League playoffs and says he would be interested in joining the Wellington-based club in the future.

He says the idea of playing in front the Yellow Fever is very appealing.

- NEWSTALK ZB