Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce returns to former club Bolton on Sunday but the emotions of his players rather than his own were at the forefront of his mind today.

Rovers duo Keith Andrews and Ryan Nelsen reported back to the club's Brockhall training base this morning after experiencing contrasting fortunes on international duty.

Andrews was part of the Republic of Ireland team controversially defeated in the World Cup play-off by France in Paris while Ryan Nelsen captained New Zealand in their historic victory over Bahrain which sealed only his country's second-ever finals place.

"It is total opposites," said Allardyce, ahead of the Lancashire derby. "Ryan has a big smile on his face this morning and was bouncing in through the door after the achievements of getting to the World Cup finals for the first time since 1982.

"His euphoria will hopefully be rubbing off on everybody else to go and give a gigantic performance at Bolton on Sunday.

"The opposite end is the unfortunate situation that Keith Andrews found himself in - on the wrong end of a defeat that wasn't deserved and decided by a very controversial decision. It is very difficult to get over but he must get over it and get on with playing for Blackburn Rovers. I have every sympathy for him and everyone concerned with the Ireland team."