MATT Jansen has always commanded the respect of Blackburn supporters for what he has achieved in a Rovers shirt.

But now he deserves the admiration of football fans everywhere for the courageous way he has fought back from the type of injury which would have finished lesser characters.

Five months ago, the 24-year-old found himself on the verge of a call-up to the England squad which would have been a fitting reward for some sparkling displays in the Premiership.

However, four weeks later his world then came crashing down around him when he suffered serious head injuries in a motorbike accident, so much so that specialists feared he would never play again.

Thankfully, after months of rehabilitation, the 24-year-old is now firmly back on the comeback trail and his return to action in the reserves last night was a real triumph for the human spirit. From talking to the experts, it's clearly going to take time to rediscover the sharpness which made him one of the most accomplished strikers in the top-flight.

But the fact he's back out on a football pitch at all is a massive achievement in itself and last night's appearance at a windswept Autoquest Stadium was a major landmark in that recovery process. To the naked eye, Jansen doesn't appear to be bearing any lasting scars from the collision which almost cost him his life.

However, the main battle he must fight as he feels his way back into action is the mental one which is no doubt being played out in his head.

And that's why Rovers fans must show patience during the next six months for it could be next season before we start to see the real Matt Jansen strutting his stuff once again.

In the meantime, completely changing tack, I see the FA are calling for UEFA to take action against the racist thugs who tarnished England's victory in Slovakia on Saturday.

However, while I applaud the way they are trying to stamp out evil from the terraces, shouldn't they be setting a strong example of their own by clamping down on some of the thugs who get away with murder on the pitch.

By that, I'm referring to Roy Keane's five-match ban and a £150,000 fine following a hearing at the Reebok yesterday.

In my opinion, Keane got off lightly for what he said and did and if the top players in the game can get away with that kind of behaviour then what chance have we got of expecting fans to tow the line?