The former Torino and Parma man, who has had a horror run with injuries since joining Blackburn in August last year, originally aggravated the thigh complaint in Australia's October friendly against the Netherlands.

Grella wasn't the only Australian to miss Blackburn's trip to Wigan, with Brett Emerton also unavailable due to a groin injury.

Elsewhere in the Premier League, custodian Mark Schwarzer produced an excellent late double save to help Fulham claim a 0-0 draw with fellow Londoners Tottenham.

Everton duo Lucas Neill and Tim Cahill put in full shifts as the Toffees drew 1-1 at Sunderland. Neill was solid at the back, while Cahill was tireless in midfield.

In Scotland's Premier League overnight, Scott McDonald failed to score and was withdrawn on the hour as Celtic defeated Hamilton Academical 2-0 to keep the pressure on leaders Rangers.

Accies' Australian pair James Wesolowski and Trent McClenahan both started at Celtic Park, although the former was replaced with quarter of an hour to go.

Elsewhere in the SPL, Danny Invincibile was wasteful in front of goal as Kilmarnock drew 0-0 at Dundee United, while Aussie teenager Rocky Visconte was on the Hearts first-team bench for the first time as they won 1-0 at Falkirk.

Returning to England with the second tier Championship, Socceroo Rhys Williams was amongst the goals as Middlesbrough recorded an important 3-0 win over Scunthorpe United.

Williams drilled in a low shot from just inside the box moments prior to the break to help Boro on their way. The young Aussie was also named Man of the Match by the official Boro website.

But it was a different story for his Australian compatriot Brad Jones, who was worryingly dropped from the Middlesbrough side altogether.

Jones has been a much-maligned player at the Riverside recently with the boo-boys calling for his removal from the team and new boss Gordon Strachan has followed suit.

Elsewhere in the Championship, Aussie stopper Adam Federici produced a couple of good saves to help Reading draw 1-1 with Swansea, while young goalkeeper Daniel Ireland was an unused sub for Coventry as they won 1-0 over Doncaster and so too was Nick Carle as Crystal Palace beat Ipswich 3-1.

In League One, Neil Kilkenny and Patrick Kisnorbo both played full games helping Leeds United defeat Hartlepool 3-1 to maintain their position atop the division.

Kilkenny provided the assist for Leeds' opener, after his low drive was deflected into the net by Jermaine Beckford.

Elsewhere in League One, Aussie goalkeeper Jamie Young was an unused sub as Wycombe lost 4-0 at Yeovil while ex-Melbourne Victory man Michael Theoklitos continues to be overlooked as Norwich won 2-0 over Millwall.

In League Two, Australian defender Scott Guyett returned to the Bournemouth side after a two-month injury-enforced absence as the Cherries won 1-0 at Cheltenham.

Elsewhere in League Two, Liverpool loanee Dean Bouzanis helped Accrington Stanley defeat Morecambe 2-1 and Shane Cansdell-Sherriff provided an assist as Shrewsbury drew 2-2 with Macclesfield.

Also Chris Herd played a full game as Lincoln beat Aaron Downes' Chesterfield 2-1 and Oliver Bozanic was a 71st minute sub as Aldershot beat Daniel Leach's Barnet 4-0.

Finally in the Blue Square Premier League, James Meredith put in a full shift as York City solidified their grip on third place with a 3-0 triumph over Mansfield Town.