RAY Mathias has tipped Rovers’ new midfield partnership to become the envy of the Premier League after Vince Grella finally started repaying his summer price tag.

The Australian made his home debut in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough, having recovered from a calf injury, and Mathias believes his pairing with Stephen Warnock was ‘as good as it gets’.

Grella moved to Lancashire from Torino in the summer for around £4million and Rovers’ assistant boss believes Grella’s fitness battle was well worth the wait.

The 28-year-old had previously just played 45 minutes since his switch from Italy, but his crunching tackles and intelligent creative play quickly had the home faithful singing his praises.

He is an injury doubt for tomorrow’s trip to Aston Villa with a slight groin strain, but Mathias is confident his Ewood Park bow was a sign of things to come.

Mathias said: “If you look at Vince and Stevie Warnock in the first half there is no one better in there in this division.

“They were absolutely outstanding. We knocked the ball about in there and that is what it is all about.

“I thought Vince did very, very well. He has overcome the injury that he had, which was a nasty one, and he lasted the 90 minutes and put in a good performance.

“Vince played a big part in there. He has a massive part to play in shielding the defenders and also making play.”

Grella’s midfield partner Stephen Warnock continues to impress in his makeshift role, leaving Mathias to admit it is becoming increasingly difficult to restore him to his usual left back slot.

Tugay, Aaron Mokoena and Keith Andrews are other central midfield options but, for the moment, Warnock is the favoured selection.

“I think Stevie Warnock is making it difficult for us to put him back in his usual position,” Mathias said.

“We moved him back to left back late on but it was purely to fit people in.

"It was a shame bringing him out of midfield because he was doing ever so well in there.”