Grella looks set to miss the match against Aston Villa overnight tonight after tweaking his hamstring again in his comeback game against Middlesbrough at the weekend.

The hardman defender had previously only played 45 minutes for his new club since arriving at the start of the season after getting injured on Socceroo duties.

Now he looks set for a return to the physio's room.

Manager Paul Ince admitted: "We are unsure with Vince, he felt his hamstring at half-time against Middlesbrough but he wanted to carry on.

"He was outstanding to be fair, but because of that, because he was brave, he is a doubt."

But Emerton won't let Grella's injury - or anything else - hold back his side from challenging the top four sides in the EPL this season.

"I think when we first set out we were aiming for a top-six finish, as we did in the last couple of seasons, and I think we have the ability within the side to achieve that," he said yesterday.

"So hopefully if things go well we can get there."

Meanwhile, Rovers assistant boss Ray Mathias is tipping Vince Grella to make a big impression over the remainder of the campaign.

He told the Lancashire Telegraph: "If you look at Vince and Stevie Warnock in the first half (against Middlesbrough), there is no one better in there in this division.

“They were absolutely outstanding. We knocked the ball about in there and that is what it is all about.

“I thought Vince did very, very well. He has overcome the injury that he had, which was a nasty one, and he lasted the 90 minutes and put in a good performance.

“Vince played a big part in there. He has a massive part to play in shielding the defenders and also making play."