BLACKBURN Rovers striker Matt Jansen has vowed to play through the pain barrier in a bid to fire the team up the Premier League table.

Jansen is currently struggling with a cartilage injury, which may eventually require surgery.

But the 27-year-old is ready to put surgery on hold to help Mark Hughes and the team in the run-up to Christmas.

Jansen returned to first team duty on Saturday as a second half substitute in the 1-1 draw with Manchester City.

And although he experienced some discomfort during his 45-minute appearance, that's a price he is willing to pay if it means helping to keep the club in the top-flight of English football for another season.

"I'll need the operation eventually, but only when it starts effecting me badly," said Jansen.

"It's just a niggle at the moment. It feels a bit like a strain in my knee and I can feel it all the time.

"It settles down for a bit and then gets worse again, but hopefully I can keep on playing and help the team get through the Christmas period.

"At that time of year, you have a lot of games in a very short period of time and the manager needs as many players available to him as possible.

"Then when the fixture list gets a bit quieter in the New Year that might be the time to think about having the operation.

"In the meantime, though, I want to do all I can to help the team and the manager."

Jansen's return at the weekend was all the more timely considering Jon Stead has now joined the injured list.

The former Huddersfield striker damaged his ankle during the game with City and it was serious enough to force his withdrawal from the England Under 21 squad, who were in action against Spain last night.

Meanwhile, Jansen was impressed by the way Rovers fought back from a goal down to claim a point against City last Saturday - the third time they have done that in as many weekends.

"It would be nicer if we could start turning it into three points rather than keep having to scrap for draws but we're getting better and that can only be good for confidence," said Jansen.

"Psychologically, I'm sure being off the bottom of the table will make a difference. "It's a stepping stone and hopefully we can have a few more.

"We haven't been beaten in three but we've just got to keep on going and try to build on that."

In the meantime, Barry Ferguson has pulled out of Scotland's game with Sweden tonight due to a shin injury.