Premier League: Chelsea v Blackburn Rovers - Peter White's big match preview

SIGNOR Vialli, Monseiur Leboeuf and Senor Ferrer might not quite be up to scratch with the finer points of Aussie Rules, but it's worth wagering a few Euros that they will appreciate the basics of the rough, tough sport a little better after tonight.

For goalkeeper John Filan is likely to be in the thick of the action once again, as Blackburn Rovers take on title-chasing Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

And the man who has emerged as one of the heroes of Brian Kidd's Ewood revolution could now be reaping the rewards of his early days as a sporting all-rounder down under.

"I played a lot of sports back home as every kid does. I played a bit of Aussie Rules, Rugby Union and different things at school," he explained.

"Hopefully that's helping me now.

"I enjoy that type of thing. I like a challenge and don't mind the physical side of the game.

"And, hopefully, it's working well for the side and helping us to get results."

He has been in the wars since joining Rovers but has bounced back in style and will face the Chelsea attack full of confidence after keeping Alan Shearer and Co quiet at Newcastle on Sunday. "Injuries are part of the game.

"I had a bad one with my arm and a lucky escape with my neck so hopefully I am past those things.

"But I just accept it as part of the game. If you don't go in hard you would probably get hurt more than if you do.

"Maybe the upbringing back home made me a bit dumber than I should be, but I still keep sticking my head in there," he laughed.

Chelsea will be aiming to stay with the title pace tonight and Rovers are set to make more changes. But Filan does not believe that is necessarily disruptive.

"We had a hard battle on Sunday and we'll go there, try to get a good start again and establish ourselves in the game," he said.

"All the players who have come in are good players, we have a squad where everyone knows their job so it's not too much of a hassle when the team is changed.

"You can't go all season with the same side.

"And I thought the two centre halves were absolutely brilliant at Newcastle, it was a pleasure to play behind them."

Most players in the form that Filan has been showing would have an eye on the international scene but he hasn't figured since a bust-up a few years back with a former manager.

"I haven't really been on the scene and Australia don't have any important games, apart from the World Cup qualifiers," he added.

"At the moment I don't think there are any games, so I am not really thinking about it."

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