/world sport
(CNN) -- English Premier League club Blackburn Rovers have agreed to release captain Ryan Nelsen to play in part of New Zealand's Olympic Games campaign.
Nelsen will be oneof three overage players in the New Zealand squad.
Nelsen, 30, will be one of his country's three over-age players in the under-23 tournament.
He will be available for New Zealand's first two matches, against hosts China on August 7 and Brazil three days later.
He will then miss the final group game against Belgium on August 13, returning to England as Blackburn prepare to open their league program against Everton.
New Zealand coach Stu Jacobs described the decision to release Nelsen, made by new Blackburn manager Paul Ince, as a "terrific outcome".
He said Nelsen was delighted he could play for his country and realized how important it was for New Zealand to take its best team to the Olympics.
"I think all the way through the process, he has been pretty desperate to be part of it."
Celtic striker Chris Killen and former Fulham midfielder Simon Elliott are the other over-age players in the team.
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