Grella's return has been delayed several times, but after getting through a reserve game during the week he is set for action against Bolton on Sunday.

The Aussie revealed he'd been extra cautious in his recovery after an injury-ravaged time at Rovers since joining the club in August 2008.

Grella told the Lancashire Telegraph: "I've done everything now to make sure that my fitness is at a good enough level to join the first team again.

"I feel I'm in the condition for the manager to know that if he selects me I'm capable to do the job.

"It has been very frustrating. I was playing well and starting to fit into the team and unfortunately in the 92nd minute against Tottenham, that shot at the end of the game cost me eight weeks out.

"But when you have bad times you have to believe that you have the ability to get back and do what you know how to do."

He added: "I know my start at Blackburn has not been great, but I'm so confident that when I'm fit and out on the pitch I can perform and play to the top level.

"That's driving me along and bringing me through the tough times."

Grella also has the added incentive to get his fitness sorted with the World Cup looming later this year.

"It is the World Cup this year but, to be deadly honest, that is the last of my problems at the moment," he said.

"I'm just really looking forward to getting back into the first team and showing the club that I'm ready to play, I want to be here and I want to play football for the club.

"Everyone at the club realises how frustrated I've been and they've supported me the whole way through the injury, so I've never felt abandoned in any way."