ROVERS keeper Brad Friedel believes the club's central defensive partnership is the best in the world!

And the big American admits he wouldn't swap the combination of captain Ryan Nelsen and Chris Samba for any other defenders in the business.

Mark Hughes' side have conceded just nine goals in the league so far this season and have kept eight clean sheets in all competitions, including scoreless draws against Chelsea and, more recently Liverpool.

And three of those have come when Nelsen and Samba have been marshalling the back-line.

Friedel, who has also been as solid as a rock in between the sticks, said: "I wouldn't trade our centre-backs for any others in the league, or the world, to be honest.

"The guys playing in front of me, like Ryan Nelsen and Chris Samba, are very solid and do a fantastic job in defence."

Rovers have made their best start to a campaign since the Championship winning side of 1994/95, with several pundits tipping the Ewood park outfit to finish with a Champions League spot.

And after taking a point off three out of the top four this season, they now face arguably their toughest test yet on Sunday as they travel to Old Trafford to face an in-form Manchester United.

But Friedel, an ever-present on the team sheet since his move from Anfield over seven years ago, was confident that the current crop of players can more than match their hosts.

He said: "It's my eighth season at Blackburn and I love it here.

"This year is the strongest squad we've had since Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole were here.

"Our squad has improved and we go into games feeling we should get three points. If we don't win, we're very disappointed.

"We've got quality players, a fantastic manager, loyal fans and we're playing in an exciting league.

"This club has a great future."