CRAIG Bellamy's insatiable desire for success is the key to Blackburn qualifying for Europe according to skipper Ryan Nelsen.

The Kiwi sees Bellamy's will to win at first hand every day during training at Brockhall, and he's convinced it will be a major factor in Rovers securing a top-six finish between now and May 7.

"He's just a guy that wants to win, no matter what you do," said Nelsen.

"It doesn't matter if it's a soccer ball in front of him, or a dart, or a pool cue, he wants to win. I just stay away from him!

"But it's great to have that sort of energy and personality in your team. If we're all made from the same mould it's pretty boring and pretty predictable, so it's great that he's got a personality. We all bring our own traits."

It was Nelsen and his defensive colleagues who hogged the headlines last season after a string of clean sheets ensured Rovers won their battle to beat the drop.

But this term the centre back has been happy to take a back seat as Bellamy, Rovers' top scorer with 15 goals, has stolen top billing along with his fellow forwards.

Nelsen said: "I'm more than happy to step out of the limelight if Craig and the strikers can do what they've been doing.

"They deserve the headlines because they've been fantastic, especially Craig's performance within the last few weeks.

"I don't think there's been many better in the Premiership, so it's been fantastic for us.

"But it's something that we don't rely on because we know we are a very good team and we can defend if we have to, we can battle when we have to, and we can play football when we want to as well."

Ahead of today's trip to Sunderland, Nelsen was guarding against complacency as Rovers prepared to take on a team 14 points adrift at the foot of the Premiership.

Although the Wearsiders are doomed to make a swift return to the Championship, the Rovers captain insists they will still be motivated enough to scupper his team's European ambitions.

"The manager put it pretty good the other day when he said it's a huge banana skin for us," added Nelsen.

"There's a lot of expectation on us and not very much on them, and that's what we thrived on last year - that was what got us out and gave us the motivation.

"So we know it's going to be an extremely difficult game and I don't think their points total suggests the team they are.

"I think they've been really unlucky this year and if things had gone their way, they could have been up there with the teams above them.

"If I was in their place, there would be a lot of pride to play for, for the club and the fans. There's a huge amount of pride at that club, it's a big club, it's a fantastic club, so their players will be really keen for this game."