CHRIS Sutton's courage in battling through the pain barrier to answer Ray Harford's SOS was praised today by the Blackburn Rovers boss.

And Sutton's team-mates have also acknowledged the contribution made by the striker since he climbed off the treatment table to buy the club some time.

"I asked Chris if he would play against Derby for his first game and he has been terrific for us," said Harford.

"When we needed him he was there, even though he has been fighting through the pain barrier to play.

"He's probably getting some reaction after games and we could do without two matches a week to be fair.

"But, hopefully he's not doing himself any damage by playing on it. We have been told he isn't.

"He hasn't been training much either. It's a balancing act. "The other players understand what he's going through and they respect what he is doing."

Sutton has scored in his first three games back, but it is also his all-round contribution to the side which Harford believes has had the biggest effect.

"His coming back has certainly made us look better, even against Derby when we lost at home," said the manager.

"He's got three goals in three games but, apart from that, his all-round game has been good.

"It's a bit more comforting for everybody in the team to have a leader at centre forward. Chris has maybe enabled us to buy a little time as well as giving him a chance to make the position his own.

"I was hoping we had someone in-house."

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