Emerton relishing Rovers´ return

Australian international Brett Emerton said he hoped to face a battle for first-team action at Blackburn when he returns from the Asian Cup.

Emerton provided assists to both Everton’s Tim Cahill and AZ Alkmaar’s Brett Holman in Australia’s 4-0 win over India in their Cup opener on Monday.

He said before the kick-off in Qatar that he wants to fight for his place in the Rovers starting line-up when he returns to England.

“Hopefully when I come back I am struggling to get a place in the side, that means we will have done well,” the midfielder said.

“With the January transfer window and a lot of the boys coming back from injury, hopefully there will be a battle for me to get back in the side.”

“Obviously we always welcome fresh faces and new talent. As a group of players we want to be the best we can be and finish as high up the table as we can.”

Emerton said he hoped manager Steve Kean could use the funds from owners Venky’s to buy fresh talent in the January transfer window, to help boost them from ninth placing on the English Premier League table.

“If we can have the addition of a couple of players who can strengthen our squad then all of us should welcome that,” the 31-year-old said.

“Competition is always healthy within a squad and I think you need that to succeed. Otherwise you can get a little bit lazy and you need to be looking over your shoulder to make sure you play well every week.”

Should Australia make the Asian Cup final, Emerton could return to action with Rovers on February 2 when Tottenham visit Ewood Park.