CURRENT statistics dictate that Didier Drogba is the best striker in the Premier League, at least jointly with Jermain Defoe.

But when Ryan Nelsen is asked if he concurs, he takes a diplomatic slant on the debate.

“That’s a tough one. It’s like, who’s the best looking supermodel in the world?

"Is it a blonde or a brunette – it depends on whatever your tastes are,” said the Rovers captain.

The New Zealander knows for sure, though, there are times when the Chelsea striker can be unplayable, and has warned Rovers they must expect the unexpected tonight if they are to earn their place in the Carling Cup semi-finals.

“Drogba is a majorly influential player.

“He only had a couple of opportunities on Sunday against Arsenal and he just took them.

“That is the sign of a world-class player.

“He can be out of the game for the majority of that and all of a sudden he is handed an opportunity to score and he takes it.

“That is the difference between a world class striker and just a good one.”

In defeat, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger noted the 11-goal Ivorian did little other than score twice in the London derby.

But Nelsen feels Drogba’s quality in the final third means he doesn’t have to make himself a constant nuisance.

“There are certain moments in games which dictate how they are going to end up,” he said.

“They can pass you in a blink of an eye.

“Generally, if you pull off that save or score that goal, it dictates the result.

“Drogba proved that by scoring that well-taken goal in the first-half, then all of a sudden the game changed and Chelsea could sit back and counter-attack.

“Those flashes of brilliance dictate what happens in a game.

“He can be out of the game for so long and not really be part of it and all of a sudden, bang, he gets one touch and scores a goal. He has done his job.

“If he gets one chance, he scores, whereas the majority of other strikers might need a couple of other chances.

“It is priceless having somebody like that on the team.”

As far as assistant manager Neil McDonald is concerned, Drogba isn’t just the best striker in the Premier League but among the best in the world, and the man Rovers must stop if they are to edge closer to Wembley.

“I first saw him when I went to watch Newcastle v Marseille in the UEFA Cup semi-finals (in 2004),” said McDonald, who was working under Sam Allardyce at Bolton at the time.

“As a young coach, you try to pick things up and I used to go and watch games all the time. I remember, that night he took the warm-up.

“He was going round and talking to everybody and I thought, ‘my goodness me, I can’t wait to see this player play’.”

Drogba went on to score both goals in a 2-0 win.

“He just took Newcastle apart on his own,” added McDonald, who takes charge of proceedings for the fourth time tonight in Allardyce’s absence.

“I thought he was a fantastic player then and I think he’s a fantastic player now.

“On his day he is one of the best in the world.

“He’s a goalscorer, he’s strong, he’s good in air. He’s got the full package.

“I knew straight away he was a Premier League player. I put my report in with a double ‘A’ and recommended we sign him. We just couldn't afford to get him.

“Sometimes it takes foreign nationals time to adjust to the Premier League – he is definitely adjusted now.

“If we are on top form and concentrating 100 per cent, we might be able to stop him.”