The 31-year-old, who appears to be back in the Socceroos frame, recently returned from injury and was on the bench in Rovers' 4-3 win over Arsenal on Saturday.

Grella made his full return on Tuesday, playing an entire match in midfield as Blackburn got past the third tier club.

Elsewhere, Aussie pair Scott McDonald and Rhys Williams both spurned late chances as Middlesbrough bowed out of the Carling Cup, going down 2-1 to Mile Jedinak's Crystal Palace.

McDonald played a full game in attack, while Williams put in a full shift in the centre of defence. Jedinak was an unused sub for the Eagles.

Meanwhile, Chris Herd and Shane Lowry were both left on the bench as Aston Villa were eliminated after a 2-0 home defeat to Bolton.

Paddy Kisnorbo was suspended as Leeds lost 3-0 to Manchester United, while Shane Cansdell-Sherriff was out injured as Shrewsbury lost 3-1 at Arsenal.

In Scotland's League Cup, on-loan Hearts man Matthew Park scored East Fife's fourth successful spotkick as they defeated SPL club Aberdeen 4-3 on penalties, after a 3-3 draw.

Earlier Park had scored a stunning 25-yard goal on 54 minutes for the Fifers.