MARTIN Olsson insists Chris Samba’s ‘will to win’ is an inspiration as he leapt to the defence of the Blackburn Rovers skipper following his Monday night blunder.

Samba’s 45th minute dismissal destroyed Rovers’ hopes of maximum points against Sunderland at Ewood on Monday night but, after battling for a 0-0 draw, Olsson was adamant there would be no ‘blame game’.

The Congolese defender made a rare mistake deep in his own half to allow Danny Welbeck to race clear on goal and, when he dragged the striker down in his desperate recovery attempt, the subsequent red card was inevitable.

Manager Sam Allardyce revealed his skipper was devastated post-match, blaming himself for ‘letting his team mates down and leaving Rovers with an uphill task.

Olsson though was quick to hail the contribution of Samba during his own senior career at Ewood Park and insists all the Rovers young guns see him as a role model.

Olsson said: “He is one of the best players in the team and the way he has been playing for the last couple of seasons has been very good. To be honest he had to take that foul otherwise he comes through and probably scores. Everyone makes mistakes.

“It happens, we know it happens. You can do mistakes and no one will blame him for that.

“I learn a lot from him all the time. He is such a strong guy and he always wants to win. The young guys of course look up to him and we have to work hard and we will play more with him.”

Olsson also echoed Allardyce’s views that Monday night’s battling draw felt like a victory, given the circumstances, and believes their spirited display shows the unity that has been built at Ewood Park.

Rovers travel to troubled giants Liverpool on Sunday looking to inflict more misery on the Anfield outfit and their Swedish international believes they have everything to gain.

He said: “When you go down to 10 men it is always hard to play football and to play as a team and to create chances. I think we defended well as a whole team and that is what we have been working on all week.

“It shows we get along with each other and trust each other. You do that and you can pick up points. We have to get on to succeed, especially when you are reduced to 10 men. You have to work hard as a team and we showed that. It feels like a win for us.

“It is always hard to go to Anfield and pick up points. The pressure is on them, I don’t think we have any pressure on us and we will just go there and enjoy it. If we stay as a team like we did and keep a clean sheet we won’t lose.”

Olsson himself made his first Premier League start since the middle of August with his start to the season disrupted by a shoulder injury.

The 22-year-old though insists he isn’t panicking about limited first team opportunities so far this season, despite making such an impression last time round.

“My last start was a while ago,” he said. “I am getting back slowly from a shoulder injury but it happens. It is a long season so I am not stressing out yet that I am on the bench.

“I am just going to work hard. Of course the injury has been frustrating but football goes up and down. I have to stay strong mentally, it is a long season and I will come back stronger.”